Four killed in tragic sand mining mission

Four people were killed Monday when a quarry caved in at Igembe South in Meru County.

Witnesses said there were more than 10 workers excavating sand during the 4.20pm tragedy.

Some of the workers were loading sand on a lorry when the walls of the quarry collapsed, trapping them inside.

Rescuers at the site in Nkinyang’a area pulled out four bodies though others are feared to be trapped underneath the sand and stones.

“We heard a huge explosion and on rushing there, we found part of the quarry collapsing. It was filled with sand and smoke,” Mr Paul Diambo said.

By Monday evening, a team of Kenya Red Cross rescuers, police and the public was still sifting through the rubble using a tractor in search of survivors or bodies.

Igembe South Deputy County Commissioner Apollo Okelo and area police boss Patrick Mbarire confirmed the four deaths and said one miner was rushed to the Nyambene District Hospital in critical condition.

Seven other sand harvesters managed to escape from the falling boulders.

“There were 12 workers at the site. Four have lost their lives, one is hospitalised while seven others, by sheer luck, managed to escape as the sand quarry collapsed,” Mr Mbarire said.

Speaking to the Nation by phone, Meru Deputy Governor Raphael Muriungi sent a message of condolences to those who lost their relatives.
Assist families

He said the county government would conduct an audit of all the quarries and assess their safety.

“I also challenge the National Environment Management Authority to educate and advise miners on the safe and unsafe mining sites to reduce such tragedies. Through the department of environment, we will also sensitise our people on the safe use of natural resources,” Mr Muriungi said.

The county, he assured, would assist the affected families.