President Samia Suluhu Hassan has sent a message of condolence to Shinyanga Regional Commissioner, Ms. Mboni Mohamed Mhita, following a fatal mining accident at Nyandolwa Mine in Mwenge Ward, Shinyanga Rural District.
In the message delivered yesterday through the State House Directorate of Presidential Communications, President Samia expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of lives after three mining pits collapsed, trapping dozens of miners underground.
According to Ms. Mhita, the tragedy occurred when the pits caved in, burying miners in the debris. At the time of the accident, there were 25 miners working in three separate pits the first with 11 miners, the second with eight, and the third with six.
“In the third pit, four miners were rescued, while two others were pulled out alive but later died,” Ms. Mhita said, adding that rescue operations had been ongoing in an effort to retrieve others trapped underground.
She explained that the Tanzania Fire and Rescue Force, working with local miners, rushed to the site to begin rescue efforts immediately after the incident.
The teams have been operating under challenging conditions, trying to prevent further casualties.
President Samia has directed the Prime Minister’s Office and national security agencies to send emergency relief to the area and intensify rescue operations.
She stressed the importance of urgent intervention to save lives and support the affected families.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to the families, relatives, and all Tanzanians following this tragedy,” President Samia said in the statement signed by the State House Director of Presidential Communications, Ms. Sharifa B. Nyanga.
Mining accidents are a recurring challenge in parts of Tanzania, particularly in small-scale mining zones where safety enforcement is limited.
The Nyandolwa disaster has reignited calls for stricter safety measures, regular inspections, and enhanced training for miners to reduce risks.
Community members in Shinyanga have joined in offering support to the rescue teams, providing food, water, and moral encouragement.
Local leaders have also appealed for calm as authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident and explore measures to prevent similar tragedies.