Not less than 17 main schoolchildren have been injured in Zimbabwe on Thursday after their classroom collapsed right into a sinkhole, native authorities mentioned, blaming the incident on uncontrolled underground mining.
The first faculty in Kwekwe, a metropolis about 200 kilometres (125 miles) southwest of the capital, Harare, is positioned close to two gold mines.
College administration had complained about unlawful mining actions beneath its grounds up to now.
“One lady has been critically injured and preparations have been made for her to be rushed” to hospital, native lawmaker Judith Tobaiwa advised AFP.
Pictures circulating on social media confirmed a gap opened underneath the classroom’s flooring, swallowing up desks, chairs and faculty baggage.
In whole 17 pupils aged between 10 and 11 have been injured, Tobaiwa mentioned.
“They’re nonetheless blasting and the entire faculty premises is shaking,” she added, whereas talking on the telephone from the scene of the accident.
Provincial affairs minister Larry Mavima mentioned the authorities had ordered the varsity closed and have been looking for various placements for its pupils.
“As authorities we’re very shocked by this incident and dissatisfied that the miners didn’t take the requisite measures to safe the realm to be able to forestall such an accident,” he mentioned.
An investigation can be launched “on why this occurred and who could also be accountable”, he mentioned.
The landlocked southern African nation boasts huge gold reserves.
The dear metallic accounted for a couple of third of all exports in Might final yr, in line with official information.
The sector has attracted lots of of hundreds of small-scale, casual miners, who usually function illegally.
A 2020 report by the Worldwide Disaster Group (ICG) estimated that 1.5 million folks had turned to artisanal mining due to widespread unemployment, poverty, and financial hardship.
Accidents are comparatively frequent in decommissioned mines, significantly when the bottom is loosened by rain.
