Two women feared trapped after house collapses into mining shaft in Migori

Two women are feared trapped underground after a makeshift house collapsed in Matanda, Nyatike Sub-County, Migori County, early Friday morning. The incident was reported by the chairman of the Macalder Mining Welfare Association, who learned of the collapse at approximately 7:20am on September 25, 2026. The structure was said to have potentially sunk into a mining shaft beneath it.

The house reportedly housed two women, Mama Emma and Awino, who were asleep at the time and feared to be buried under a pile of soil and their belongings. Rescue operations involving police, miners, and other aid workers are currently underway to extract the victims from the collapsed dwelling. The region is rich in gold and has attracted numerous miners who work without regulation, leading to unstable and unsafe conditions.

Many miners dig tunnels near residential areas without proper safety measures, putting residents at risk of such disasters.