Mufumbwe gold mine tragedy: Death toll rises to 8, seven police officers injured in operation

Police have confirmed that the death toll in the Mufumbwe gold mine accident has risen to eight, with only four victims positively identified so far.

Additionally, seven police officers were injured during an operation to clear illegal miners from the area.

Zambia Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, said officers visited the scene and retrieved eight bodies from the debris. The deceased have been identified as:

Eldred Mulowa, 36, of Kitwe

Peter Malenge, 25, of Kandemba Area, Solwezi

Levinson Phiri, 28, of Chipata Compound, Lusaka

Danny Ndala, 30, of Kandemba, Solwezi

The remaining four bodies have not yet been identified and are currently at Mufumbwe District Hospital Mortuary, awaiting identification and collection by their next of kin.

Hamoonga noted that the search and retrieval operations were ongoing, as more individuals were suspected to be missing.

“The Zambia Police Service continues to warn the public, particularly the youth, against engaging in illegal mining activities, which are not only unlawful but also life-threatening,” he said.

Hamoonga added that on Sunday, June 15, 2025, between 07:30 and 13:00 hours, officers conducted an operation to clear all illegal miners from the Kikonge area.

During the operation, some miners reacted violently, throwing stones and other objects at the officers.

Seven officers from the School of Public Order Maintenance were injured. The injured included:

Inspector Shamenda Mwewa

Constable Macfadin Phiri

Constable Makala Moonga

Constable Braveness Mwape

Constable Patson Mwanja

Constable Purity Shula

Constable Oscar Mizinga

According to Hamoonga, Inspector Mwewa, Constable Mwanja, and Constable Moonga sustained deep wounds, while Constables Phiri, Mwape, and Shula suffered minor injuries. All were treated at Mukinge Mission Hospital.

Constable Oscar Mizinga, who sustained head injuries, was referred to Solwezi General Hospital for specialist treatment.

Hamoonga further revealed that although initial operations had appeared successful in clearing the area, intelligence later indicated that some illegal miners had returned via hidden bush paths to resume operations.

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