Geita – The official investigation into the collapse of four mining shafts at the Msasa gold mine in the Geita region of north-western Tanzania has concluded, with authorities firmly reiterating that the incident resulted in zero casualties. 

The Rescue and Search Committee officially closed its operations on April 10, 2026, following an extensive excavation of the affected area in Bukombe District.

The incident, which occurred on March 29, 2026, sparked widespread panic and conflicting reports, with some social media claims suggesting that up to 400 people had died. 

However, the committee, comprising the Fire and Rescue Force, Police, and the Mining Department, stated that their thorough search yielded no evidence of human remains.

“We have participated from the beginning to the end to reach today’s conclusion,” Kenneth Mwakasitu, the Acting Commander for the Fire and Rescue Force in the Geita Region, told a press conference. 

“The truth is, we have verified together with all inspection departments and rock guards that there were no human casualties.”

During the excavation, rescue teams recovered various pieces of mining equipment, including winches, generators, motorcycle engines, and small drilling tools. 

READ MORE: Officials Deny Casualties as Conflicting Reports and Ownership Allegations Surround Collapse at Msasa-Runzewe Gold Mine

Crucially, they also found a supervisor’s bag containing instruction manuals that confirmed the shafts had been officially shut down and production halted three days prior to the collapse.

The committee praised the mine’s management for their adherence to safety protocols, noting that the precautionary closure of the shafts likely prevented a major tragedy. 

They urged other mining operations to employ dedicated inspectors and safety supervisors, acknowledging that government agencies cannot inspect every shaft daily.

READ MORE: Five Dead in Tanga’s Quarry Collapse as Mining Safety Concerns Mount

While the search operations have concluded, the affected area remains cordoned off pending final safety inspections by the Mining Department. Authorities expect the site to be formally reopened for other production activities within a few days once these checks are complete.

The conclusion of this investigation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the mining sector’s safety record and transparency. 
The Msasa mine itself has been the subject of recent controversy, including a major disturbance in January 2026 over revenue-sharing disputes and unverified allegations regarding its ownership structure.