Two miners lost their lives due to a gas leak in a mining site in Gitwa Village, Birambo Cell, Busengo Sector, Gakenke District, on August 8, at around 8:00 pm, an official has told The New Times.

The deceased, Patrick Ishimwe, 19, and Oscal Sibomana, 26, both from Muhanga Sector, were digging for minerals approximately 50 meters inside an underground tunnel when they were suffocated by a dangerous gas, according to Vestine Mukandayisenga, the Mayor of Gakenke District.

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The Mayor said: "The miners were employed legally by EFEMIRWA Ltd.”

She said that what happened was just an accident because the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board had inspected the mining site on the same day.

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Mukandayisenga who said she did not know what type of gas killed the miners emphasized the need for timely inspections by regulatory bodies to identify potential risks in advance, thereby preventing such tragedies.