One killed, three feared trapped in Meru quarry landslide

Two victims were rescued and rushed to St Ann Hospital for medical treatment. The body of another victim, identified as Musoi, was retrieved from the debris

One person was killed, two were rescued, and three others are feared trapped after a landslide struck a mining quarry in Mutonga Village, Igoji, Meru County.

The incident occurred on October 21, 2026, at Mutonga One quarry, police said.

According to police, the landslide was reported, prompting officers from Igoji Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to rush to the scene.

Preliminary investigations established that about six people were inside the quarry when the landslide occurred.

Three other people are feared to be trapped beneath the rubble as rescue efforts continue.

A multi-agency team led by the Igoji Sub-County Police Commander was at the scene coordinating rescue operations and disaster management efforts.

Authorities continued the search for the missing victims as emergency teams worked to establish the full extent of the incident.

Police said the operation continued on Thursday evening, with more machinery being brought to the scene.

Police in Tigania West, Meru County, are also investigating the suspected murder of a 59-year-old man whose decomposed body was retrieved from a river after he was reported missing.

The deceased, identified as Carlos Kaleria, alias Kamaliza, hailed from Kiguchwa Village in the Mikinduri area, police said.

Members of the public identified the body as that of Kaleria, who had been reported missing at Mikinduri Police Station on October 16.

With the assistance of members of the public, police officers spent approximately five hours retrieving the decomposed body from the river.

Preliminary investigations indicated that Kaleria had separated from his wife and was living alone in Kiguchwa Village at the time of his death.

Police processed and documented the scene before moving the body to Miathene Sub-County Hospital mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, and investigators are expected to establish how he ended up in the river and whether foul play was involved.

Police have classified the incident as a suspected murder as investigations continue.