HARARE, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Three people have been confirmed dead and one remains missing after a mine shaft collapsed in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Province, on Thursday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said on Saturday.
"ZRP confirms a fatal mine incident which occurred at Rowdy Boys 4 Mine, Chinhoyi, on July 16, 2026, when a mine shaft collapsed while eight miners were working underground, approximately 100 meters deep," police said in a statement.
"Four miners escaped, while four others were trapped. Rescue efforts resulted in the retrieval of three bodies, while one miner remains trapped underground," police added.
Police, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and other relevant authorities are continuing with search and recovery operations while investigations into the cause of the collapse are underway.
Mine accidents are common in Zimbabwe, particularly during the rainy season, when softened ground can cause shafts to collapse. ■