Two bodies of the six miners who were trapped on Tuesday evening in Nyatike has been pulled out 24 hours after the accident.
The fate of the four who are still missing is unknown
The six miners were leaving the mines at Macalder in Nyatike on Tuesday when the quarry collapsed following a heavy downpour.
Their seventh colleague who had made it to solid ground managed to escape with minor injuries.
Excavators from the Migori county and workers from Chinese mining companies are helping in the search mission.
“We have availed resources and expertise to help the victim, we still don’t know the fate of the
others still trapped in the mines and hope they are alive,” he said.
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Earlier in the day, the excavator from the county stalled forcing hundred of miners to resume rescue mission with pickaxes.
“According to the Luo culture when a search of a body begins we are not allowed to leave the scene as relatives, we spent the previous night here and will do the same again despite heavy rains,” Caleb Ageng’a, who lost his brother in the mines said.
The body of the two have been taken to Migori Level Four Hospital mortuary.
In a press statement, Nyatike MP Tom Odege faulted both the county and national government of laxity in setting up disaster response centre.
Odege said that despite common accidents in the mines which range from carbon monoxide poisoning and collapsed mines the response has been poor.
“We need a standby disaster team in Migori county with well trained and equipped staff, we still hope to get the miners alive,” he said.
Obado and Odege warned miners to stop their activities as heavy rains pounding the area have made the mines to be dangerous.
Their sentiments were shared by Migori county Commander Joseph Nthenge warned the miners to be extra-cautious during this rainy season.
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