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eventREF E-0084192Revised

Event record

A coalmine explosion in Rhodesia kills over four hundred workers

Date
6 Jun 1972
Updated
30 Sep 2019
A coalmine explosion in Rhodesia kills over four hundred workers

Over four hundred mine workers lost their lives in Rhodesia’s (now Zimbabwe) worst mine disaster ever. The disaster stunned the whole country and the world. Over a third of those who perished were citizens of Rhodesia’s neighbouring countries of Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana. The explosion happened at no.2 Colliery in the town of Wankie’s (now Hwange), Matebeleland. The initial explosion was caused by a methane explosion which was followed by a cold- dust explosion. A monument has been erected on the site in remembrance of the miners who perished.

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How we know this

  1. 01Rhodesiana Rhodesiana Archives - Wankie Colliery Disaster[online] Available at: www.rhodesiana.com[accessed on 25 May 2012]
  2. 02Health 24 (2010) Mining disasters and rescues[online] Available at: www.health24.com[Accessed on 25 May 2012]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, May 31). A coalmine explosion in Rhodesia kills over four hundred workers. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0084192

South African History Online (2012) 'A coalmine explosion in Rhodesia kills over four hundred workers', South African History Online, 31 May. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0084192 (Accessed: 11 August 2026).

South African History Online, A coalmine explosion in Rhodesia kills over four hundred workers [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0084192, (accessed 11 August 2026).

"A coalmine explosion in Rhodesia kills over four hundred workers." South African History Online, 31 May 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0084192. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "A coalmine explosion in Rhodesia kills over four hundred workers." South African History Online. May 31, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0084192.

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