Lusaka, August 26 (Xinhua) — A sand and gravel mine in Zambia collapsed on the 25th local time, killing 8 people.

Agence France-Presse, citing a police spokesperson, reported that a dump truck was loading sand and gravel when the accident occurred. The accident trapped the truck driver and "an unspecified number of male loading workers."

The report said the truck driver was later rescued and taken to hospital for treatment. According to his estimate, there were at least 9 people around the truck at the time.

The police spokesperson said rescue teams had been working to rescue those involved, but due to the harsh conditions at the site, rescue operations were suspended that day. The spokesperson said rescue operations would resume on the 26th "at first light."

AFP said Zambia has numerous mines and accidents occur frequently. In December last year, a copper mine in the north of the country collapsed, killing nearly 30 miners.