One killed after mining site collapses in Isiolo

The area has deposits of gold, which miners venture to excavate even with poor conditions.

In Summary
  • Husein Abdi Kulayu, 25, was in the company of other workers at a gold mining and was in an underground tunnel on May 19 when it collapsed killing him.
  • His colleague Moses Karaule, 36, was seriously wounded in the incident.
Crime scene.
CRIME: Crime scene.
Image: The Star

One person was killed and another seriously wounded after a mining site they were working on collapsed in Merti area, Isiolo.

The area has deposits of gold, which miners venture to excavate even with poor conditions.

Husein Abdi Kulayu, 25, was in the company of other workers at a gold mining and was in an underground tunnel on May 19 when it collapsed killing him.

His colleague Moses Karaule, 36, was seriously wounded in the incident.

They were removed and taken to a local hospital where Kulaya was pronounced dead on arrival while the colleague was admitted in serious condition.

Police say they are investigating the incident.

Last year, three miners died after the Kom Durte gold mine in Isiolo North constituency collapsed on them while prospecting the mineral.

This came as questions emerged why the activities, that have created jobs for thousands of young people, remained unregulated with miners working until late in the night which put their lives at risk.

The government had ordered an immediate ban on unlicensed mining activities in the Kom region of Merti subcounty.

This was for, among other measures, an environmental audit.

This was after it emerged the miners were using heavy machines to crush stones in their artisanal activities, overlooking the environmental impact.

Officials directed those involved in the mining activities to stop operations as the National Environmental Management Authority conducts an environmental impact assessment to give the ecological guidelines before mining operations can resume.

As part of efforts to address the menace of deaths, government officials said they would post an assistant county commissioner to the Kom area to reduce the distance the residents travel to seek government services at Merti town.

Gold miners were directed to seek licenses from all the relevant government authorities before embarking on the work.

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