A quarry collapse at Mutonga in Igoji, Meru County, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, has left six workers feared trapped beneath fallen rocks, raising concerns about safety at excavation sites. Preliminary reports indicate that one worker escaped unhurt while another was rescued by residents and taken to hospital with serious injuries. Rescue efforts were underway as authorities sought to establish the full extent of the incident.
Meru County Special Programmes Director Lenah Kiambi confirmed the incident as residents joined efforts to search for workers believed to be buried beneath the rubble. According to reports, the number of people trapped had not been officially confirmed, and the circumstances that caused the quarry to collapse remained unclear.
A worker who reportedly escaped the collapse said six colleagues were suspected to be trapped beneath the debris. Residents began removing fallen rocks as rescue efforts continued, while the injured worker was taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities had yet to provide a confirmed casualty count at the time of reporting.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety at quarrying sites, where unstable rock faces, loose soil and unsupported excavation walls can pose serious risks to workers. Quarry operations require regular ground-stability assessments and appropriate safeguards to reduce the risk of collapses that can trap or injure people working below the excavation face.
Mutonga has previously experienced quarry-related safety concerns. A report published by The Star in November 2017 documented risks faced by workers extracting stone along River Mutonga, including dangerous terrain and previous fatal incidents. The latest collapse has again drawn attention to the need for effective safety oversight and enforcement at excavation sites.
Following a collapse, rescue efforts must be coordinated to avoid exposing workers, residents and emergency responders to further danger from shifting debris. Members of the public are advised to keep away from unstable sections of the site, alert emergency services and leave access routes clear for rescue teams.
Quarry operators also have a responsibility to assess hazardous areas, restrict access to unstable sections and ensure that work does not resume until the site has been declared safe by qualified personnel. Workers should immediately report signs of instability, including cracks, falling stones and ground movement.
Rescue efforts at Mutonga were ongoing as authorities worked to establish the number of people affected and determine what caused the collapse. Further updates from county officials and emergency responders are expected to clarify the casualties and whether any safety violations contributed to the incident.
