Four workers feared dead as quarry collapses in Kibuani, South Imenti, Meru County

Four workers are feared dead and a survivor is recuperating in hospital after a quarry collapsed at Kibuani in South Imenti, Meru County.

Police said the four burried by a mass of stones could be dead as residents made frantic efforts to rescue them after the collapse around 4.00 p.m. yesterday.

"The rescue efforts are progressing slowly since its being done with bare hands and no earth moving machinery is on site," said resident Justus Murungi from the site.

Imenti South OCPD John Cheruyoit said the quarry collapsed after a strong wind that uprooted trees precariously hanging on a mined area.

"Some of those trees fell on blocks of vulnerable stones which fell on the workers working below," said the OCPD.

The incident is an early blow to quarry workers who had already expressed fears that the impending El Nino would paralyse their work.

Their products feed the nearby bustling Nkubu town which is experiencing a construction boom.