Four people were trapped and killed in Kakamega, after a gold mine collapsed in the early hours on Thursday in western Kenya.
At first, it was reported that Twelve artisanal workers were trapped in the Kakamega County Gold mine tragedy for several hours. However, following several hours of digging by neighborhood residents, 8 of the victims were found by morning; their conditions are reported as stable.
According to the authorities, local press said that the Kakamega miners weren’t licensed by the government and were working at an old mining tunnel.
“What they are doing is risking their lives and most of the people here are mostly youth who are doing this work. Due to the unemployment problem, people are putting their hands on anything that can put food on their table,” Kakamega county commissioner John Ondego said.
He added that mining at night time will no longer be allowed.
Incidents of collapsed mines are rampant in parts of western Kenya.
In January this year, a gold mining company said that three workers have been killed after a blast in western Kenya and blamed illegal mining activities, the Associated Press reported.
Karebe gold mining company said in a statement late Monday that a wall built to prevent flooding and illegal incursion was blasted by illegal miners, causing an explosion.
Three other workers were injured and hospitalized for treatment. Their conditions weren’t immediately available.
In 2020, four miners were killed and 15 injured after a gold mine collapsed in Migori.