DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian rescue teams on Wednesday recovered one more mining technician from the collapsed gold mine in the Shinyanga region, bringing the total number of survivors to four, with 21 others still missing.
"The rescued technician was found in critical condition," said Julius Mtatiro, Shinyanga district commissioner, in a telephone interview with Xinhua. "We are still uncertain about the condition of the remaining 21 individuals trapped beneath the rubble."
Rescue operations, led by defense and security forces, are continuing around the clock, he said, adding that Deputy Minister of Minerals Steven Kiruswa, accompanied by senior officials, is en route from the capital, Dodoma, to oversee the response efforts.
The collapse occurred on Monday at the Wachapakazi Gold Mine during maintenance work on underground shafts.
The mine, operated by a youth-led consortium, had previously been ordered to suspend operations following safety inspections by regional mining authorities, Mtatiro noted.
Authorities have pledged to intensify rescue efforts and conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident. ■