This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
On Thursday, a devastating incident occurred in Kolondo village, Rachuonyo East Sub-County, Homa Bay County, where a 21-year-old woman was buried alive while mining sand from a quarry.
Cynthia Awuor, a mother of three, lost her life in the tragic accident, which has left the community in shock.
According to eyewitnesses, Ms. Awuor was among a group of women who were harvesting sand from the quarry when the walls suddenly caved in, trapping her underneath.
"Ms. Awuor died when the walls of the quarry collapsed," said Kodumo West Assistant Chef Nelly Amata, who was among the first responders to the scene.
Rescue efforts were hindered by the fact that the woman had already succumbed to her injuries by the time the others managed to escape.
Rachuonyo East Deputy County Commissioner Jack Obuo has warned residents against engaging in sand harvesting, citing the dangers associated with the activity, particularly during the rainy season.
"We want locals to stop sand harvesting since it has been banned by the Homa Bay County government. It is dangerous to be in a quarry when it is raining," he said.
The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of residents who engage in sand harvesting, a practice that has been banned by the county government in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19.
