The police, on Saturday, said at least five miners have been confirmed dead during the collapse of an illegal gold mine in northern Kenya.

The collapse of the Hillo mine in Dabel area was attributed to a landslide.

Marsabit County Police Commander, Patrick Mwakio said the miners died on the spot after the debris covered them.

Recall that that the Interior Minister, Kithure Kindiki, in March banned mining activities in the area after clashes led to the deaths of seven people.

The mining activities were also in violation of the law because no environmental impact assessment had been done and the tunnels were described as weak.