WESTERN PROVINCE

RUTSIRO – Residents and security officials on Thursday rescued five miners who were trapped when a colt mining quarry caved in, in Musasa sector, Rustiro District.

The five identified as Jean Marie Vianney Ndahiro, Amos Nsengimana, Pheneas Havugarurema, Azarius Nzayisaba and Jerome Sinayitutse, all residents of Karongi District, were miraculously rescued, after over 12 hours of desperate searching.

Amon Twagiramungu, another miner narrowly escaped the landslide which caved in moments after he had stepped out. Talking to The New Times, Twagiramungu recalled the ordeal.

"We had come in the morning for work and the quarry was in excellent condition at that time. I was walking out to repair one of my tools when the hill crumbled,” he said.

Deogratius Rutayisire, the Executive Secretary of Musasa Sector, said the victims were rescued safely because there was a cracked opening which maintained constant supply of fresh air, although they all complained of hunger.

"It is surprising that none of them was hurt.We gave them milk and other food stuffs but they don’t need any medical care,” Rutaisire told this reporter on Thursday evening after the rescue mission.

"We are now keeping them together and closely monitoring to see if there are any other effects the accident could have caused,” he added.

He explained that it was the first time such an incidence was happening but declined to comment on the status of other neighboring quarries from which many locals earn their daily bread.

The successful rescue exercise started at about 7:30am by a team which was largely composed of relatives and friends, army and police officers and various local leaders.

Major John Ndengeyinka, the commander of the RDF 4th Battalion which operates in Rutsiro and Ngororero, Rutsiro Mayor Yohana Ndimubahire and Supt Jerome Ntageruka from the Rwanda National Police led the rescue team.

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