The permanent secretary in the ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana has updated the nation on the Bindura Mine disaster saying the mine has claimed another victim.

Mangwana said one of the volunteer rescuers slipped into the tunnel and had not been found by 2200 hours on Saturday. He tweeted:

The collapsed tunnel at Ran Mine in Bindura claimed another victim yesterday evening at around 6 pm when one of the volunteer rescuers slipped and fell into the chasm. He immediately disappeared into the depths and by 10 pm he had yet not been found.

The Ran Mine collapsed on the 25th of this month burying alive at least 30 artisanal miners.

After visiting the site, Mines and Minerals Minister, Winston Chitando, said the rescuers do not have a timeframe of when they will be able to reach the miners because they first have to assess the site to establish how best they can carry out the rescue mission.

He encouraged miners to undertake all mining activities in accordance with the law in a safe manner.

More: Nick Mangwana Twitter