Three chrome miners tragically lost their lives on Wednesday afternoon following a devastating mine accident at Mapinga. The miners reportedly succumbed to toxic gas inhalation, believed to be carbon monoxide, after they took a generator underground to power mining equipment.
According to initial reports, the miners had brought the generator underground to supply power to a jackhammer, unaware that the exhaust emissions would accumulate in the confined space. This likely led to the release of lethal gases, which ultimately caused the miners to suffocate.
Details from Authorities and Eyewitness Accounts
Although the provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Ian Kahwera, had not yet received a formal report of the incident, a law enforcement officer who was on-site confirmed that the bodies of the victims were recovered around 6 PM, approximately two hours after the mishap occurred. The identities of the deceased miners have not been disclosed as of yet.
Heartbreaking Discovery by Family Member
A video circulating on social media shows a relative of one of the victims recounting the harrowing discovery. The man, who is the first to arrive at the scene, stated that the sponsor of the mining operation had called him and requested that he check on the workers when he could not reach them.
Upon reaching the site, he tried calling out to the miners, but there was no response. Although he could see the glow of their headlamps inside the mine, the men did not reply. Realizing something was wrong, he entered the mine only to be met with the heart-wrenching sight of his uncle and two other miners lying lifeless.
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The relative then ventured deeper into the shaft, hoping to find more survivors but was soon overcome by the pungent smell of carbon monoxide. Alarmed, he immediately contacted the mine sponsor and headed to the local police station to report the tragedy.
The police, along with officials from the Ministry of Mines, responded promptly to the distress call. Upon arriving at the scene, they proceeded to extract the bodies from the hazardous mine.
