Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC)
Five people have been confirmed dead and one severely injured in an accident at a tanzanite mine on Saturday night at Mererani in Simanjiro District, Manyara Region.
Police in Manyara have confirmed the accident, saying the incident occurred after the quarry collapsed while small scale miners were busy working underground.
Manyara Regional Police Commander, Akilimali Mpwapwa said the accident occurred around midnight when small scale miners were still working underground at the mine.
The quarry involved in the accident is under Fanoni Mining Ltd, a property of Onesmo Mbise.
RPC Mpwapwa named the deceased as Jackson Kavishe, Noelkilwa Kitui, Emmanuel John, Godlove Zablon and Emmanuel Joshua; while Sifael Simba survived the accident with serious injuries and was admitted at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi Municipality.
Bodies of the deceased were preserved at Mount Meru Regional Hospital in Arusha city.
The lure of striking riches has drawn thousands of small scale miners to Mererani which resembles a gold-rush town with bars and hardware stores.
Tanzanite is believed to be limited to the East Africa’s Rift Valley region. The pits where the accident happened are located in the heart of Maasai land, a short distance from Mount Kilimanjaro.
The gemstone was discovered by Maasai tribesmen in 1967.
Meanwhile, in April this year at least 14 people were killed in an accident at a quarry located at Moshono area in Arusha where people were illegally digging for rocks and sand to be used as building materials.
Reports say works at the quarry was banned in 2006 when seven people died in a similar accident.
The then acting Arusha Regional Police Commander (RPC), Hemed Kilonge said more than 14 people and two lorries were covered by mud and stones as quarrying activities progressed.
“The escarpment collapsed and covered people and vehicle,” said the RPC.
The murram was mined to be used in roads construction and for building purposes.
Following the accident, the government closed the murram mine site at Moshono on the outskirts of Arusha City temporarily.
Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda said the mine site would be temporarily closed to allow the government to ensure safety at the area and would resume its activities later so as to keep providing employments.