Two construction labourers died on Tuesday evening, September 20, 2022, after a pit they were digging caved in leaving two others trapped – Tharaka Nithi Fire and Rescue confirmed.
The four labourers were tasked with installing water equipment for the Chogoria Water and Sanitation Project in Maara constituency, Tharaka Nithi county, before the 15 feet pit collapsed and trapped them at around 5 pm.
According to Tharaka Nithi Fire and Rescue Team leader Alex Mugambi, it took the collaboration of members of the public and the Fire and Rescue Team to recover the bodies.
Two of the workers were rescued alive, while the other two had to be rushed to Chogoria Hospital where they were pronounced dead.
“Two of the four workers were in critical condition and were rushed to Chogoria Hospital where they were pronounced dead. The other two are still in hospital and are in stable condition receiving medical attention”, Mugambi said.
Mugambi advised constructors to be weary of loose soil especially in rainy conditions, saying such cases had been reported before.
The four labourers are all employees of Zhan Hao construction company which has been contracted to work on the main Chogoria town sewer line.
The dead were identified as; John Mbogo aged 35 and Moses Muriithi Ndanguri aged 39.
The survivors are Ian Muregi aged 30 and Albert Mureiithi aged 45.
The bodies of the deceased are still laying at the Chogoria Mission hospital morgue.
