By ZR Reporter
Three young men have lost their lives after a section of the ground collapsed at the OB-19 Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) dumpsite in Chingola, Copperbelt Province.
Copperbelt Province Police Commanding Officer Rae Hamoonga confirmed the tragedy, which took place on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, around 18:20 hours. The victims have been identified as 17-year-old Benjamin Kampelo, 18-year-old Kachama Kambongo, and 20-year-old Misheck Mwanza, whose bodies have since been pulled from the rubble.
Initial police findings indicate that a group of illegal miners entered the area to scavenge for stones containing copper ore shortly after KCM workers had departed from the site. During the scramble, part of the hill caved in and buried several individuals.
While multiple scavengers managed to escape the collapse, the three victims were trapped and killed. Police have opened an inquiry file and announced that authorities will return to the scene to verify that no other individuals remain trapped underneath the debris.
© Zambia Reports | September 24, 2026