4 Die at Abandoned Gold Mine in Rachuonyo South

Four people lost their lives in a tragic mining accident in Homa Bay County on Monday, February 10.

The victims perished during a mining expedition in an abandoned gold mine in Ruga village, Rachuonyo South.

Reports indicate that the four were trapped in the deep mine and suffocated due to a lack of oxygen-supporting equipment.

According to Kowidi Location Chief Lucas Juma, five miners initially entered the site, which had been abandoned for three years, without notifying the relevant authorities.

Four of the miners chose to explore the abandoned shaft, while a fifth remained on the surface as a lookout. Lacking proper mining equipment, including oxygen tanks, the quartet descended into the mine.

According to Kowidi Location Chief Lucas Juma, the fifth miner noticed something was wrong when the rope the others had used to descend stopped moving.

Homa Bay County Police Commander Hassan Barua confirmed the incident, speculating that the four died within minutes of entering the mine due to a lack of oxygen.

Their bodies have since been transferred to the Rachuonyo South Sub-County Mortuary, marking yet another tragic case of illegal mining.

This incident comes less than a week after several gold miners lost their lives in Shinyalu, Kakamega County when the walls of a mine collapsed.

During the disaster, more than 20 miners were working at the site. Thanks to rescue efforts by villagers and the Kenya Red Cross, eight miners were pulled from the rubble with minor injuries.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale revealed that among the deceased was his nephew.

According to the senator, 22 men were trapped under the rubble when the mine collapsed, with three losing their lives.