Migori: Heartbreak when the Macalder copper mine collapses, leaving 3 dead and others seriously injured

• A tragic mineshaft collapse at the Macalder copper mines on Friday 10 January claimed three lives and left three other people seriously injured.
• The deceased have been identified as Ivon Apiyo Odero, Jackson Og’ondo and an unidentified woman, and the injured were rushed to hospital.
• The incident highlighted ongoing tensions at the site, where local miners defied a government directive to halt operations over safety concerns.
• Nyatiké MP Tom Odege expressed his condolences and called for stricter security measures to prevent further mining tragedies.

TUKO.co.ke journalist Didacus Malowa brings more than three years of experience covering policy and current affairs in Kenya

Migori – Pain and grief have gripped Nyatiké after a tragic incident at the Macalder copper mines.

A mine collapse on the night of Friday, January 10, claimed the lives of three people and left three others seriously injured.

The victims were going about their daily routines when the accident occurred, causing devastation in the local community that relies heavily on mining for their livelihood.

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Nyatiké Sub County Police Commander Dorothy Migarusha confirmed the harrowing incident and revealed that the police received the report at 4:40 p.m.

He Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCIO) Nyatiké and Station Police Officer (Stapol) Macalder quickly visited the scene.

He also noted that the bodies of the deceased were transferred to the morgue of the Migori Level V Hospital, where they await post-mortem examinations.

“Three people were reported dead by a Dancun Muindi at a copper mine in Macalder on Friday, while three others were seriously injured due to the collapse of the copper and gold mines on Friday night. The bodies of the three deceased were taken to Migori Level V “The hospital mortuary is awaiting autopsy, while the three injured were rushed to Macalder Level IV sub-county hospital,” he said.

Who were the victims of the Macalder tragedy?

The deceased have been identified as Ivon Apiyo Odero, 23, of Magawa, Jackson Og’ondo, 40, of Kwabayi West sublocation and an unidentified woman.

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One of the seriously injured has since been transferred to Migori County Referral hospital for further treatment.

This tragic incident comes amid ongoing tensions at the Macalder copper mines, which have been a flashpoint for clashes between local miners and foreign investors.

These disputes recently led Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho to issue a directive to halt operations at the site until further notice.

However, local miners defied the order and continued working, risking their lives in the process.

Nyatiké MP Tom Odege expressed regret over the incident and extended his condolences to grieving families and urging the government to implement stricter security measures at mining sites.

“It is with great sadness that we recognize the loss of more than three lives and the injuries sustained by several other people while doing their daily work to support their families,” Odege said.

Source: TUKO.co.ke