Joy and jubilation greeted Kopuodho gold mines after Noah Ogweno, a miner was rescued alive after being buried alive for over 72 hours.
Ogweno was rescued on the fourth days after the Thursday noon accident that left him trapped inside the gold mine after its walls collapsed.
Joint rescue efforts by colleagues, local leaders led by area Rongo MP Paul Abuor who donated an excavator bore fruit.
Abuor on Sunday evening said their rescue team managed to get the miner out of the collapsed goldmine alive.
“We thank the excavator operators and other rescuers worked day and night. I also wish to thank all those who offered us support throughout this operation to save Noah’s life,” Abuor said.
Ogweno was rescued and rushed to Tabaka Mission Hospital in Kisii county.
Jacob Migoga who is a gold miner in Rongo asked the government to support small scale gold miners by making sure the gold mines are safe for them.
Migori Governor Okoth Obado noted that they swiftly moved into action to save the gold miner after receiving information that he was trapped.
“We prayed that our equipment get access to the main tunnel where he was trapped. We were very optimistic and upbeat that we could find him alive because he was communicating to us,” he said.
The governor said they asked for reinforcement which helped break hard rocks which barred the excavator from accessing the main tunnel.
He asked stakeholders to come to the aid of miners, saying that the sector needs to be supported.
Edited by B. Oruta
