Three miners passed on yesterday after suffocating to death in a Northern Province mine, Police has confirmed.

According to Superintendent Christopher Semuhungu, the Northern Province regional police spokesperson, the incident occurred at approximately 1pm in Ruli Sector, Gakenke District  

Police believe that the accident occurred after the miners went so deep within the mine that they ran out of oxygen.

"They suffered a lack of oxygen as they were in the process of extracting minerals. The mine was too narrow to allow sufficient air to reach them. Police rescue teams from the fire brigade department intervened only to find the three dead,” Semuhungu said

Efforts to identify the victims have been futile so far.

The victims were working in a tin mine owned by Cooperative Minieres de Kababara Gikingo (Comikagi)

Semuhungu urged miners to be vigilant when they are working inside the mines and advised them to wear oxygen masks.

According to area residents, this is the first time such an incident has occurred.