By ALICE NACHILEMBE
The remains of two additional small-scale miners have been retrieved from the Sensele Open Pit Mine in Chingola and were buried at Chingola Cemetery this afternoon. These two individuals are among the over 30 miners who were trapped in the mine following a tragic accident in December last year.
Speaking at the burial ceremony on behalf of Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo, Chingola District Commissioner Raphael Chimupi revealed that one body was recovered on Sunday and the other on Wednesday. The original plan was to retrieve as many remains as possible to facilitate a mass burial, but the deteriorating condition of the bodies necessitated their immediate interment.
Despite the challenges, the government has committed to providing funeral logistics and a K10,000 package to support the families of the victims. The burial ceremony was attended by local stakeholders, including Deputy Mayor Richard Kabwe, Town Clerk Namukolo Kalufyanya, and District Administrative Officer Stephen Moonze, and served as a somber reminder of the ongoing recovery efforts and the community’s collective grief.
The slow pace of the recovery operation has been a source of frustration and sorrow for the families of the victims, but Commissioner Chimupi reassured that efforts to recover more remains are ongoing. To date, 25 lives have been lost in the tragedy, highlighting the perilous conditions faced by miners and the urgent need for improved safety measures.
Today’s ceremony follows the burial of nine other victims last Saturday, underscoring the profound impact of the disaster on Chingola and the surrounding areas. As recovery efforts continue, the focus remains on ensuring that such a tragedy never happens again.
