2 miners die in underground fire accident in Zambia

KITWE, Zambia, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Two miners died at a mine owned by Mopani Copper Mines in Zambia's Kitwe city in the Copperbelt Province after an underground fire accident, a workers' union said on Tuesday.

Joseph Chewe, president of the Mineworkers Union of Zambia, said the two miners died after a loader caught fire at the Southern Ore Body where they were working from.

He said the accident occurred during blasting while other miners were also slightly affected.

The union has since dispatched its officers to investigate the accident after which a comprehensive statement will be issued, he added.

The accident comes barely a month after three miners died after another underground fire accident.