A 21-year-old man died and five others were injured after a gold mining shaft collapsed in Markleaf area, Kakamega County, triggering chaos that saw an angry crowd burn down a nearby mining site.
According to police at Khayega Police Station, the incident occurred on Sunday evening at an artisanal gold mining site about two kilometres south of the station.
Police said the report was made by a landlord who alerted authorities that the mine had collapsed with several people trapped inside.
Police established that 36 miners were inside the shaft when the collapse occurred.
Thirty managed to escape unhurt.
Five miners sustained injuries and were rushed to Mukumu Mission Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
Medical staff said the victims suffered body pains and bruises but were in stable condition.
However, Reagan Muchesia, 21, succumbed to injuries sustained during the collapse.
Police said the incident sparked anger among residents and other miners who blamed poor safety conditions.
In retaliation, members of the public set fire to another gold mining site owned by Valentine Chimwayi, destroying property of unknown value.
Police were forced to intervene to restore order, during which firearms were discharged.
Police shot to the air to restore order.
During the confrontation, a police officer sustained an injury on his right hand.
He was treated at Mukumu Mission Hospital and later discharged in fair condition.
The body of the deceased was moved to Mukumu Nursing Home Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Authorities have launched investigations into the collapse as concerns grow over safety standards at informal gold mining sites in Kakamega County.
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