One dead, three in hospital after inhaling poisonous gas at Osiri gold mine, Migori

By Stanley Ongwae

Migori, Kenya: A miner Thursday died and three others rushed to hospital after they inhaled a poisonous gas from a generator they were using in a gold mine at Osiri in Nyatike, Migori County.

According to Migori County Police Commander Clement Gatogo, the excavators were on their daily activity when the generator they were using broke down.

One of the miners went to fix the generator but died inside the mine. His three colleagues also went in to rescue him but got unconscious while inside.

Another person who was in their company raised alarm and the three were rescued in critical condition.

Red Cross officials who arrived at the scene rushed them to Macalder District Hospital where they are receiving treatment.

The official said they are all in stable condition. Gatogo blamed the incident on the increasing number of illegal mines in the area.

"It is unfortunate that most of the mining activities in the region are illegal and the law has not yet been formulated to regulate mining activities," said Gatogo.