Form One student killed in quarry

Residents at the scene where a 15-year-old student died at Kabonyo village, Kobuya Location in Rachuonyo North Sub County, Homa Bay County. [James Omoro, Standard]

A Form One student was killed and four others injured in a sand quarry in Homa Bay County.

Onyango Odhiambo, 15, of St Joseph’s Kobuya Mixed Secondary School, died at Kabonyo village in Rachuonyo North sub-County on Sunday evening.

He died after the quarry collapsed and buried them alive when they were harvesting sand.

According to Kobuya chief Damianus Osano, four other minors were rescued and rushed to Miriu Health Center for medication.

“Good Samaritans rushed to the scene to rescue the boys. Odhiambo had already died, but the other four were rescued,” Osano said.

Osano said the victims were caught unaware while harvesting sand.

He warned the public against engaging in sand harvesting in the area without approval from the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).

“Let people stop mining sand illegally because it has many risks. Unauthorized sand harvesting causes death, injuries and degradation of the environment,” Osano said.

The body was moved to Kendu Adventist Mission Hospital Mortuary.