Five killed after gold mine collapsed in Migori

The gold mine at Kanga collapsed on Tuesday evening.

Deputy County Commissioner for Rongo sub county, George Otenga said two miners died while they were receiving treatment while three died inside the collapsed mine bringing.

Otenga said there were 18 miners inside the collapsed mine when the incident occurred and they are now in the process of accounting for all affected persons. 

The Deputy County Commissioner said they were informed that some of the miners who were inside the collapsed mine managed to escape through other routes and they are in the process of counting them physically to establish if the 13 others survived.

Otenga said they have sent out officers to locate all the survivors of the collapsed mine.

He lauded all the stakeholders who took part in the rescue exercise that ended late in the night. Otenga said the concerted effort among all stakeholders helped them locate the miners inside the 750 feet deep mining shaft.

Meanwhile the commissioner has appealed to the miners to take necessary precautions when prospecting gold to mitigate deaths and injuries in the mines.

A spot check done by Citizen Digital established that safety measures are still an issue in the gold mining sector in Migori County. A sizable number of miners access the mines without protective gear.