Three artisanal miners are feared dead after a mining shaft collapsed on Friday in Ogago village in Bondo Sub-County, Siaya County, in a tragic incident that has once again highlighted the dangers facing informal miners across western Kenya. Bondo Sub-County Police Commander Robert Aboki confirmed the incident, saying rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene after reports emerged that several miners had been trapped underground during the collapse.
Witnesses said the miners were working inside the shaft when the ground suddenly caved in, burying them beneath debris and loose soil. Residents living near the mining site rushed to the area moments after hearing cries for help, with local miners and volunteers joining rescue efforts using shovels, ropes and other crude tools in attempts to reach those trapped underground.
Police officers and emergency responders later secured the area as rescue operations intensified amid fears that the unstable shaft could collapse further. The difficult terrain and fragile condition of the mine reportedly slowed down recovery efforts, forcing rescuers to proceed cautiously to avoid endangering more lives during the operation.
Authorities said the incident is believed to have occurred at an informal gold mining site where artisanal miners have been carrying out excavation activities for years. Such sites are often poorly reinforced and lack proper safety measures, exposing workers to constant risks of cave-ins, flooding and suffocation while underground.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over safety standards in artisanal mining activities across Siaya and neighbouring counties where many unemployed youths depend on informal mining as a source of income. Local leaders and residents have repeatedly called on the government to regulate small-scale mining operations and ensure miners are trained and equipped with proper safety gear.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the site as relatives and family members gathered anxiously waiting for updates about their loved ones. Community members also continued assisting rescue teams throughout the day, with many expressing frustration over recurring mining accidents that have claimed lives in different parts of western Kenya in recent years.
Police Commander Robert Aboki said investigations into the collapse had commenced and assured residents that authorities would establish the exact cause of the incident. He also urged miners operating in the area to prioritise safety and avoid working in unstable shafts, especially during periods when soil conditions may increase the risk of deadly collapses.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD