Two die after sand mine wall collapses in Athi River

Two people have died after they were buried alive at a sand mine in Athi River, Machakos County.

Police said the two reportedly died on the spot after a wall at the mine, where they were mining sand, caved in and buried them at Ng'ando village in Muthwani Ward, Athi River Sub-county, on Thursday.

The matter was reported to Joska Police Station immediately after the incident occurred.

Police responded to the scene following the report and assisted in the rescue operations.

The officers, alongside their Directorate of Criminal Investigations counterparts, were assisted by members of the public to retrieve the two bodies from where they were trapped.

They retrieved the bodies, processed and documented the scene before moving them to a local mortuary.

Eyewitnesses told The Star that the deceased were well known in the area.

They were among tens of young people who eke out a living from the mines. They harvest sand and load it into lorries to earn a living.

The locals are now mourning the loss of the two.

Among those who have joined residents in mourning them is 2027 Mavoko parliamentary aspirant Ndaisi Kipanga, who said it was unfortunate that the deaths occurred while the men were trying to earn a living.

Ndaisi said there should be improved methods of mining sand.

"If elected the next Mavoko MP, I will push for safer, better and more dignified sand harvesting methods for the youth," Kipanga said.

"As leaders, we must do what it takes to make sand harvesting safer and better remunerating for our youth. As the incoming MP for Mavoko, I commit to working towards a safer, better, and more dignified sand harvesting sector. To the bereaved families, may God grant you strength, comfort, and peace. May their souls rest in eternal peace?" She added.

The incident happened barely a day after a 34-year-old casual worker died after a perimeter wall collapsed on him in the Spring Valley area of Nairobi on Wednesday morning.

Police said the incident occurred when three casual workers were constructing a perimeter wall bordering Kibagare slums near the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company premises along Waiyaki Way.

The wall suddenly collapsed and fell on one of the workers who was standing next to the structure.

The worker sustained serious head injuries and died.