Two young men have died in different instances after walls collapsed as they were harvesting sand on Saturday around 11am.
The two accidents happened in Machau and Chanda villages in Mua location Machakos County.
Confirming the unfortunate incidents, the Director of Machakos County Emergency and rescue services David Mwongela speaking at the scene stated that the witnesses alerted the rescue team who immediately responded.
“Residents have alerted our officers who arrived on the scene immediately. The first incident was in Chanda village and after two hours a similar accident happened in Machau. The emergency team arrived a few minutes later but unfortunately the two had died,” said Mwongela.
Present during the rescue process in Chanda village was the area Member of County assembly, Oliver Nzeki, who cautioned the residents against underground sand harvesting as walls have become weak.
“These accidents have been on the increase lately, we should wait for the sand that comes with rains so that it is safe to harvest instead of digging underground,” said Nzeki.
Mwongela however thanked the residents for their corporation and help in retrieving the bodies.
“We have managed to recover the two bodies with the help of the residents and the chief of mua location,” added Mwongela.
The bodies of the two victims have been taken to Machakos Level 5 Hospital mortuary as the police start investigations.