Rwanda National Police

Five people, all employees of African Minerals Petroleum, a mining company based in  Kamonyi District were this Saturday at noon rescued  from a mining concession, located in Rugarama Village, Rukoma Sector in Kamonyi District.

Police identified the survivors as; Nsengimana Emmanuel 36, Usabyeyezu Azarias 19, Dusabimana Emmanuel 30, Murekezi Emmanuel 47 and Dushimimana Jean Paul 27.

Police Spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said the five victims went into the mining concession on December 29, at around 10am for their routine mining activities when suddenly a cliff collapsed and covered them.

“Some of the miners who were at the time preoccupied with other mining related activities outside the concession called for Police intervention” after realizing their colleagues were in serious trouble,” CP Kabera said.  

The Fire and Rescue Brigade supported Kamonyi District Police Unit together with other security organs and area residents all  intervened and immediately started rescue operations, which he said took hours before the five men could be  helped out of the concession.

The Police Spokesperson commended other security organs and residents who worked round the clock until the five victims were successfully rescued from the concession.

CP Kabera challenged all stakeholders in the mining industry to always put safety measures by ensuring that their employees have all the necessary personal protection equipment to avoid loss of lives. The life of a citizen comes first - CP Kabera emphasized. 

He further said that, the five survivors were immediately rushed to Remera Rukoma Hospital for medical attention.

The residents were excited and thanked Police for the quick and successful intervention. 

At press time, the five men were reported to be in sound health and that they could be discharged from the Hospital very soon.

CP Kabera called for more cooperation through timely information sharing to facilitate quick intervention, emphasizing that crime reporting is essential in in crime prevention.