Four Miners Die in Abandoned Homa Bay Gold Mine, Authorities Warn of Unsafe Practices

Four Miners Die in Abandoned Homa Bay Gold Mine, Authorities Warn of Unsafe Practices

Tragedy struck in Ruga Village, Rachuonyo South, after four miners suffocated in an abandoned gold mine on Monday, February 10. According to Citizen Digital, the men were on an unauthorized mining expedition when disaster struck.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the miners entered the site without oxygen-supporting equipment. Kowidi Location Chief Lucas Juma confirmed that five miners arrived at the site at around 11 a.m. without informing the owner. While one stayed at the entrance, the other four descended into the shaft.

Fifth Miner Raises Alarm

The four miners relied solely on a rope to descend into the mine. Shortly after, the fifth miner at the entrance noticed something was wrong. The rope had stopped moving, and despite calling out to his colleagues, he got no response.

Realizing the danger, he raised the alarm. Villagers and local authorities rushed to the scene, but it was too late. The four men had suffocated deep inside the mine.

Police Confirm Deaths, Issue Warning

Homa Bay County Police Commander Hassan Barua confirmed the tragic deaths. He urged miners to prioritize safety and seek professional advice before engaging in any mining activity.

“The four miners lost their lives within minutes after entering the abandoned mine. We urge residents to observe safety precautions and avoid illegal mining activities,” Barua stated.

Authorities retrieved the bodies and transferred them to Rachuonyo South Sub-County Mortuary as investigations continue.

Shinyalu Goldmine Collapse Leaves Miners Trapped

The Homa Bay tragedy comes just days after another mining disaster in Shinyalu, Kakamega County. On the night of Monday, February 3, at least 22 miners were trapped after a goldmine collapsed.

Senator Boni Khalwale confirmed that among those feared dead was his nephew. “We are in shock. My family is in distress after learning that one of our own was in the collapsed mine,” Khalwale said.

So far, 19 miners have been rescued, while others remain unaccounted for. The senator blamed the incident on unsafe mining practices and accused investors of putting profits above human lives.

“These investors smuggle gold worth KSh 1.2 billion monthly from Shinyalu, yet they neglect miners’ safety. It is unacceptable,” Khalwale said.

He called on Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho to intervene and improve mining safety measures. Meanwhile, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi expressed his sympathies to the affected families and promised government intervention.

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Four Miners Die in Abandoned Homa Bay Gold Mine, Authorities Warn of Unsafe Practices