Four miners lost their lives after suffocating inside an abandoned goldmine in Ruga village, Kowidi Location, Rachuonyo South Sub-County.

The victims had entered the mine without any oxygen support equipment during a mining expedition.

Reports indicate that the four men sneaked into the mine, which had been abandoned for three years, without informing the owner.

According to Kowidi Location Chief Lucas Juma, five individuals attempted to access the mine around 11 a.m. Four of them descended into the shaft while the fifth remained at the entrance.

Juma stated that the miners did not carry any proper tools or oxygen support equipment, using only a rope to navigate the shaft. 

The survivor at the entrance became suspicious when he noticed that the rope had stopped moving. When his colleagues failed to respond to his calls, he raised an alarm.

Homa Bay County Police Commander Hassan Barua confirmed the incident, stating that the four miners died within minutes of entering the mine. Their identities are yet to be established.

Barua urged those involved in mining to always seek professional guidance to prevent such tragedies. 

The bodies of the deceased were retrieved and taken to Rachuonyo South Sub-County Hospital Mortuary.