A 20-year-old man has died after an artisanal mining tunnel collapsed on him in Kanyuto Village, East Gem Location, Siaya County.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at around 5 p.m., while the man was working inside the mining tunnel.
Police identified the victim as Paul Opiyo, aged about 20.
According to police, the walls of the tunnel suddenly collapsed, trapping Opiyo underground.
Members of the public rushed to the scene and managed to retrieve his body before officers from Yala Police Station arrived.
Police processed the scene and established that the body had no visible external injuries.
Opiyo’s body was later moved to the Yala Level IV Hospital mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Police have launched investigations into the incident.
The tragedy comes amid continued concerns over the safety of artisanal miners, who often work in underground tunnels that can be vulnerable to sudden collapses.
