The incident occurred on the evening of Monday, March 3, when a mining shaft collapsed, trapping the miners underground.
Local residents and police officers quickly mobilized for rescue efforts.
Unfortunately, by the time they reached the victims, all five had already lost their lives.
A sixth miner remains unaccounted for, and search operations were halted on Monday night due to darkness.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday morning, area Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo expressed his grief over the loss.
"So sad that tragedy has struck again. Last evening, we lost five lives at the site of artisanal mining at Lumba Village in Rarieda. Very painful," he wrote on X.
The Lumba gold mine, where the accident occurred, is known for artisanal mining, which is a major source of livelihood for many residents.
However, the site has been described as a prohibited mining area, raising concerns about safety regulations and enforcement.
This tragic event comes exactly one month after a similar mining accident in Museno Village, Shinyalu, Kakamega County.
In that incident, a gold mine collapsed on February 3, trapping 20 miners.
Fortunately, a multi-agency team, including the Kenya Red Cross, emergency medical services, and local authorities, managed to rescue 12 people.
The Kenya Red Cross provided updates during the Shinyalu rescue operation, stating that efforts were ongoing to locate and assist the remaining trapped miners.
"Update as of 0942Hrs: 12 people have been rescued. A multi-agency team, including the Kenya Red Cross, EMS Kenya, the County Disaster Team, local community members, and the Kenya Police, is on the ground leading rescue operations," read the statement.
The frequent mining accidents in different parts of the country highlight the dangers faced by artisanal miners, who often work in unsafe conditions with little to no protective equipment.
Local leaders and authorities may now face pressure to improve safety measures and regulate informal mining activities to prevent further loss of life.
As rescue operations in Siaya continue, families of the victims are mourning their loved ones while the community grapples with the dangers of artisanal mining.
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