The accident occurred on August 11, 2025, when part of the mine collapsed during renovation work, burying 25 miners
Shinyanga. Two more miners have been found dead following a tragic accident at a mine owned by a group of small-scale miners in Mwongozo Village, Mwenge Ward, Shinyanga District Council.
The victims, identified as Japhet Massanja (30) and Chembanya Makenzi (25), both from mining pit number 20, were recovered in the early hours of Thursday, August 21, 2025.
Speaking to journalists via phone on Thursday, Shinyanga Regional Commissioner, Ms Mboni Mhita, confirmed the recovery, noting that 15 miners remain trapped underground.
“Two bodies were recovered last night. So far, ten people have been pulled out, seven of them dead. Efforts are still ongoing to rescue the remaining 15,” Ms Mhita said.
The accident occurred on August 11, 2025, when part of the mine collapsed during renovation work, burying 25 miners.
On August 12, three miners were rescued alive and rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. Two were discharged, while one was referred to Bugando Hospital in Mwanza for further care.
On August 13, one more person was rescued alive but later died while receiving treatment. Recovery efforts continued, with one body retrieved on August 15. On August 16, rescuers located two more victims underground, who were pulled out dead the following day. On August 19, another body was recovered.
Families of the trapped miners have remained at the scene, with the government providing necessary support, including basic needs.
To date, ten miners have been recovered—three alive and seven dead. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate the remaining 15, with specialised underground detection equipment being used to trace their whereabouts.
