A gold rush in northwestern Zambia has led to violence after posts on social media claimed that the mineral is buried just beneath the surface in the region.

Hundreds of police officers sent to remove illegal miners met with resistance, and some were accused of taking bribes. Reports of easily accessible gold in the area made rounds earlier this year and led to an influx of tens of thousands of people from across the region.

A delegation of senior government officials, including the ministers of defense and home affairs, have visited the area to help restore calm.