At least two people died in Busia gold mining site as a result of suffocation.
The incident that is being investigated on the reference Busia CRB: 108/2023 occured a day ago according to Moses Mugwe the acting Bukedi South regional police spokesperson.
Mugwe said the gold mining site in which Stephen Okumu 24, and Emmanuel Ojune 18, died belongs to Paul Omeni who survived death by a whisker.
Okumu and Ojune were residents of Asopotoit A Village,Sikuda sub County, Busia District while Omeni was a resident of Angarama Village, Tiira Town Council Busia District.
Mugwe explained that the trio suffocated in the process of mining gold an incident that tantamounts to rush and neglect.
Police said the suffocation of Okumu, Ojune and Omeni was brought to its attention by Vincent
Otabong 52, the defense secretary of Nakola A Village, Tiira Town Council, Busia District.
“It is alleged that the deceased Okumu, Ojune and survivor Omeni reported for their normal duty at the gold pit located at Angarama Village Tiira Town Council Busia District and they both entered in the pit at around 0700 hrs. Due to lack of oxygen, Okumu and Ojune suffocated and died on spot,” Mugwe said.
Omeni was rushed to Busia health center IV in critical condition. Mugwe said the scene of crime was visited by a team from Busia police homicide department accompanied by the scene of crime officers who collected the possible exhibits.
The deceased’s bodies were taken to Busia mortuary for postmortem as more inquiries are being conducted.
“We wish to caution all person involved in gold digging to be extra cautious about their lives and desist from operating inside deep gold man holes without sufficient Oxygen provision, as that can result into their suffocation hence death,” Mugwe said.
Three months ago, two siblings suffocated to death inside a septic tank in Kasangati town council, Wakiso district. Police investigations showed that the brothers who were aged 13 and 30 were emptying the septic tank using a diesel generator which produced a lot of smoke that blocked their oxygen access.