Several workers are feared trapped following a quarry collapse in Igoji East, Meru County, as residents and local authorities race to rescue those believed to be buried beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred at Mutonga Quarry on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, with the number of casualties yet to be established.
“Mutonga Quarry in Igoji East has caved in, with an unknown number of people feared dead. The extent of the destruction and the number of casualties are yet to be confirmed,” Meru FM reported.
Initial reports indicated that one worker escaped the collapse without injuries, while another was rescued by residents and taken to hospital with serious injuries.
According to K24, six additional workers were feared trapped beneath the debris, citing an account from one of the survivors.
Meru County Special Programs Director Lenah Kiambi confirmed the incident as emergency efforts got underway, with residents joining the search for the missing workers.
“Mutonga, Igoji quarry accident. Rescue mission enroute,” Kiambi stated in a social media post published at approximately 9.20 am.
Those at the scene were reportedly removing fallen rocks and debris in an attempt to reach the workers believed to be trapped underground.
However, the number of people affected remained unclear, with authorities yet to provide a comprehensive account of the casualties or the extent of the damage.
The cause of the collapse had also not been established by the time of the initial reports.
The quarry is situated near the border between Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties, where stone extraction provides a source of livelihood for workers and residents.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about safety measures at quarry sites, particularly the risks faced by workers engaged in stone extraction.
The ongoing rescue operation is expected to establish whether the workers reported missing can be reached and determine the full impact of the collapse.
The Meru incident comes a day after a separate mining accident was reported at the Lomeguro gold mining site in Turkana County on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Cracks reportedly developed at the site before several mine shafts caved in, triggering fears that an unknown number of miners could be trapped underground.
The two incidents have drawn attention to the dangers associated with quarrying and mining activities, particularly where workers may be exposed to collapsing ground and unstable underground structures.
Further details about the Mutonga Quarry collapse, including the final casualty count and the circumstances that led to the accident, were still awaited.
