A search and rescue operation is underway at the Osiri-Matanda gold mining area in Nyatike, Migori County, after a mine collapse left two residents feared trapped underground.
The incident occurred late Thursday night when sections of the mining area reportedly collapsed, burying houses and other structures located near the mining shafts.
According to local residents, two women were sleeping in one of the rooms when the collapse occurred. Another person who was initially feared trapped managed to escape and was later found.
Rescue teams, supported by the Migori County Government’s disaster management department, have been working to clear the debris and locate the two missing residents.
Residents said some mining shafts in the area had developed cracks before the collapse, raising concerns about the safety of people working and living around the mines.
The ongoing heavy rains have also heightened concerns, with locals warning that saturated ground could increase the risk of further collapses.
Mining activities at the Osiri-Matanda site have since been suspended as the search operation continues.
The incident has once again raised concerns over safety standards in artisanal gold mining areas in Migori, where miners and nearby residents face risks from unstable underground structures.
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