Six people lost their lives on Monday night after an illegal goldmine in Dabel, Marsabit County, caved in, burying miners under the rubble. The tragedy occurred at the Hillo Gold Mine, where ten other miners sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital. Authorities fear more victims could still be trapped beneath the debris.
According to police reports, the miners had entered the goldmine illegally despite its closure by the government for security reasons. Unbeknownst to authorities, the group began mining before the site collapsed, killing six individuals instantly.
Rescue operations are ongoing to locate any remaining victims and secure the area, as investigations into the incident continue. Hillo Gold Mine had been gazetted as a disturbed area in May 2024, with plans for its reopening still underway before the disaster struck.
Officials have reiterated that mining activities at the site were unauthorized, emphasizing that the goldmine had not been cleared for operation.
