Rescue Efforts Called Off at Collapsed Bayhorse Mi...

Rescue Efforts Called Off at Collapsed Bayhorse Mine Due to Safety Concerns

About Us – Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities — **Minister Garwe**

For fear of putting the lives of rescuers at risk, Government has said it has stopped efforts to retrieve the remaining bodies of miners trapped in a collapsed mine shaft at Bayhorse in Chegutu.

The mine’s shaft collapsed a week ago, with more than 35 miners trapped underground.

Nine employees have been confirmed dead as a result of the tragedy leaving uncertainty over the remaining miners who are trapped underground and the ZRP, through national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, has since confirmed the identities of some of them whose bodies have been retrieved. They are Godfrey Baro, 26, of Mariyapera Compound, Chegutu, Tawanda Gavaza,28, of Musengezi Resettlement, Chegutu, and Lloyd Mashavave, 40, of Waverly in Kadoma and Forbes Murombedzi, 24, of Village 1, Musengezi, Zvimba.

Speaking at the post-cabinet media briefing, acting minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, said the state of the ground at Bayhorse has hampered retrieving efforts hence the immediate halt.

“The Ministry of Local Government through the civil protection unit working together with the local community managed to rescue 22 people from the trapped and retrieved 6 bodies.

“We still have up to 30 people that are underground at the moment. The ground is moving which is threatening the lives of rescue teams. Operations have been stopped for now until a suitable area to enter the ground is established,” said Garwe.

Monday, the government recovered a dismembered body of a miner which was in a decomposing state.

Haphazard mineral extraction methods have been attributed to have led to the collapse of the Bayhorse mine.