An informal gold mine collapsed in northern Kenya killing at least five people while several others were missing, according to media reports.
Regional commissioner Paul Rotich was quoted by Reuters as saying that the bodies of the five miners were recovered from the Hillo artisanal mine and another three people were unaccounted for.
"Reports from rescuers, police and our chiefs suggest at (least) eight casual miners were inside the mining ground when the walls collapsed and buried them alive," he said.
Kenyan broadcaster NTV reported that two injured miners were taken to the hospital.
"The place caved in because of the rains," Marsabit County Commissioner David Saruni told the broadcaster.
Kenya had been experiencing torrential rains, which led to floods and landslides across the country killing hundreds of people.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
