Mnangagwa orders safety checks of all grain silos following explosion at Lions Den

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ordered safety checks on all grain silos in the country following an explosion that killed four workers at the Grain Marketing Board silos at Lions Den yesterday.

He ordered the checks in his condolence message to the four workers and instructed the relevant government arms to ensure that State assistance is provided to all those caught up in the explosion.

Although the government has ordered investigations into the explosion, Mnangagwa said initial indications pointed to a possible electrical fault exacerbated by combustible gases in tunnels which, sadly, may have caused the fatal explosion which trapped the four.

“On behalf of the party, ZANU-PF, government and on my own behalf, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the families which have lost their loved ones,” Mnangagwa said.

“In the same vein, I wish a speedy recovery to all those injured in the valiant rescue efforts that followed the explosion. Our nation applauds those brave souls who put their own lives at risk in a bid to help the trapped workers.

“I have already instructed relevant government arms to ensure that appropriate State assistance is extended to all those caught up in the explosion.

“In addition, I have directed that all silos in the country immediately undergo safety checks, and that necessary remedial and preventive measures be promptly undertaken and instituted in order to avert any such mishaps now and in future.”

Lions Den has 29 silos with a storage capacity of 104 000 tonnes making it the largest grain storage centre in the country, the second largest in Africa and the third largest in the world.

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