Mining accident kills 6 in eastern Rwanda
An accident in a wolfram mine killed six people in a village in eastern Rwanda, Police and local officials said Saturday.
The accident occurred on Friday evening in Rwinkwavu sector in Kayonza district after a cliff caved in following days of heavy rains, according to local officials.
Hamdun Twizeyimana, regional police spokesperson said rescue efforts were launched soon after learning about the accident until Saturday afternoon but unfortunately all the victims including three women and three men were found dead.
“Bodies of the three victims were recovered on Friday while the rest of the bodies were retrieved on Saturday,” he said.
Twizeyimana urged miners to be vigilant during the ongoing rainy season when ground has been softened.
The victims worked for Wolfram Mining and Processing Company, which had no immediate comment.
More than 300 mining accidents were recorded from July 2018 to 2022 in Rwanda, according to data from Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board released earlier this year. The data showed that mine accidents had claimed the lives of 429 people in a period of five years.
