Zambian president visits mine accident site

Lusaka: Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday visited a mine where a number of miners have been trapped since last Wednesday after the tunnels they were working in collapsed due to heavy flooding.
Hichilema flew to the Senseli open pit mine, located in Chingola town in the Copperbelt Province, for an on-the-spot check.
Addressing family members of the over 30 miners suspected to have been trapped and residents after visiting the site, the president said some of the trapped people may still be found alive.
“Let us work together to retrieve our colleagues. Our job now is to work with great speed, work in an orderly manner,” he said.
The president praised the rescue work, pledged more food and other necessities for the operation, and announced the establishment of a command office to coordinate the rescue efforts.
He said the government will discuss with stakeholders how to ensure the safe operation of mines to avoid similar accidents in the future.
The rescue has been hampered by water and mud following heavy rains.