Gold miner buried alive in Migori

A 30-year-old miner was buried alive at Konduru Gold Mine in Kanga Village, Rongo Sub-County, on January 16, 2019. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

A 30-year-old gold miner has been buried alive after the wall of the mine collapsed at Konduru gold mine in Kanga village, Rongo Sub County, Migori.

The miner was buried while he was working together with his colleagues in the tunnel. Three others escaped narrowly following the heavy downpour on Wednesday evening.

Rongo OCPD Kibet Kirui identified the victim as Fred Opole, whom he said was going about his mining activities together with his colleagues who escaped before the pit fully collapsed.

"The miner has been trapped in the pit since 3pm.  The pit collapsed due to heavy rain that pounded this area," said Mr Kirui.

Until Wednesday evening the rescue efforts were still ongoing, with the help of an excavator from the construction company working on the Kisii-Migori-Isebania highway.

Afred Otieno Apingi, an officer from Migori County department of environment and disaster management, said the rescue process is going on well.

"More rescue officers have been dispatched to the site and we hope the miner will be rescued," said Mr Otieno, adding that miners need to be cautious during this rainy season.

A week ago a gold miner died and two others escaped death narrowly after they suffocated in a mining pit in Bukuria, Kuria West sub-county.