A 23- year-old man of Petauke district has died after being buried alive in an illegal mining undertaking at Sasali Gold Mine in Lusangazi District of Eastern Province.
Facts of the matter are that on February 21, 2026, at around 15:00 hours, Alex Zulu, in the company of five others sneaked into the Sasali Gold Mine area, for illegal mining.
Confirming the incident to the media, Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba said it was during the mining process that the earth collapsed on him.
“The now deceased, in the company of others, including male Danny Ngulube, 46, who is the reporter of the matter, sneaked into Sasali Gold Mine area in Sandwe’s chiefdom. The now deceased entered one of the old gold pits and started mining, but was unfortunately burried after the earth collapsed on him,” he said.
Mr Mweemba indicated that efforts were made by his colleagues to rescue him but was all in vain.
He indicated that after rescue attempts by his colleagues proved futile, the matter was reported to the police.
He says the report was made yesterday, February, 22, 2026 at around 05:40 hours.
Mr Mweemba further stated that police officers visited the scene and with the help of an excavator from one of the cooperatives at the mine, tried to retrieve the body but was unsuccessful.
“After digging and removing the soil up to about 20 meters deep, the operation was suspended yesterday, however, efforts to retrieve the body have continued today, February 23, 2026,” he said.
