One man has died and five others injured after a gold mine collapsed at Rarieda Uyore village in Alego Usonga, Siaya.
The deceased, George Odhiambo Okoth, 46, and his fellow artisans were prospecting at the gold mining shaft that had formerly been used as a pit latrine.
The six artisanal miners were on their daily routine in the wee hours of the night.
Siaya subcounty police commander Benedict Mwangangi confirmed the incident.
"One miner succumbed and the body moved to the Siaya County Referral Hospital Mortuary awaiting autopsy. Five others survived. Two have been treated and discharged," Mwangangi said.
The family of the deceased told The Star that it is the survivors who pulled Odhiambo out of the shaft after it caved in.
Siaya has several gold deposits that have seen the rise and rise of illegal gold mining sites in many private farms.
The most memorable tragedy happened at the Abimbo gold mine in December 2021 where eight artisans were trapped alive.
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