Three people died while four others escaped with injuries when a gold mine they were working on collapsed at Masambra village in Ugunja early on Friday.
Two of the miners died on the spot while the third, the Chairman of the local miners, passed on at Ambira Sub County Hospital while awaiting treatment.
According to the villagers, the incident occurred at 5 am as the miners were preparing to leave the pit.
Pascal Koyu who was in charge of the shift said the seven miners went into the pit at around 9 pm on Thursday and worked the whole night and were leaving when suddenly the soil collapsed, burying them.
Koyu said two of the miners managed to find their way out as the villagers helped into the retrieval of the rest.
He said that the injured were rushed to Ambira Sub County Hospital where one was later refereed to Siaya County Referral Hospital for further treatment.
His colleague, Michael Otieno called on the government to help them with modern equipment, adding that ordering for the closure of the mines may not be a solution.
“This is where we eke our living and the government should support us with equipment to enable us operate without fear of the soil collapsing on us” he said.
He said that the mines have helped bring down incidents of theft and insecurity hence the need to retain them.
The Siaya County Police Commander, Francis Kooli confirmed the incident, saying that the bodies of the deceased were removed to Ambira Sub County Hospital Mortuary.
By Philip Onyango
