FOUR PEOPLE died and three others were injured on Friday when a sand mine in which they were extracting sand caved in. 

They were part of 15 people who were mining sand in a valley near a hill, Bigogwe sector in Nyabihu District 

The deceased have been identified as Elie Habanabakize, Patient Hakorimana, Jean Bosco Hagenimana and Jean Damacsene Nzabonimana all from Bigogwe sector.

According to Western Province Regional police Commander, Rwamungu Gumira, the mine caved in possibly because of recent heavy rains that weakened the soil around it. He said the workers had no form of protection that could have mitigated the extent of the accident. 

Gumira urged mining companies to provide adequate protection and take precaution to curb frequent accidents in the area. 

Early last year, three people died under similar circumstances in Kintobo Sector in the same district.

Augustin Nzayisenga who survived the incident but lost a brother and a cousin, said: "We were digging sand as usual when we were taken by surprised by a huge landslide”.