Rescue teams rush to the scene as residents help search through fallen rocks, with several people feared dead.
Several people are feared dead after a quarry collapsed at Mutonga in Igoji, South Imenti, Meru County, on the morning of Wednesday, October 21, 2026, leaving workers feared trapped beneath fallen rocks.
The incident triggered an urgent search and rescue operation as residents joined efforts to reach people believed to have been buried under the rubble. The exact number of casualties had not been officially confirmed in reports published on Wednesday.
One Worker Escapes, Another Rescued With Serious Injuries
Early reports indicated that one worker escaped the collapse without injuries, while another was rescued by residents and rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
According to a worker who survived the incident, six other workers were suspected to be trapped beneath the debris, raising fears that the death toll could rise. However, the number of people trapped and any fatalities remained unconfirmed at the time of reporting.
Meru County Official Confirms Incident
Meru County Special Programmes Director Lena Kiambi confirmed the accident in a social media post at around 9:20am, indicating that a rescue team was heading to the scene.
“Mutonga, Igoji quarry accident. Rescue mission enroute,” she stated, according to a report by Kenyanowtv.com
Residents also joined the search, helping to clear fallen rocks and debris in the hope of reaching those feared trapped.
Cause of Collapse Yet to Be Established
Authorities had not established what caused the quarry to cave in by the time the initial reports were published.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety at the quarry, with reports indicating that it was not the first collapse at the same site. Quarrying provides livelihoods for many workers, but unstable rock formations and collapsing ground can pose serious risks.
As rescue efforts continue, families and residents await confirmation about the fate of the missing workers.
This is a developing story. The casualty figures, identities of those affected and cause of the collapse remain subject to official confirmation.
