According to the Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson in the Southern Province, SP Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the tragic incident occurred during the maintenance work on the solar-powered water drilling machine. The workers, equipped with a generator for repairs, were overcome by smoke emanating from the machine, leading to their suffocation.

As reported to IGIHE, the victims were discovered after an extensive ten-hour search by the Police, culminating in the retrieval of their lifeless bodies at 3:00 am. Among the employees, one who was situated at a higher level managed to survive and was promptly taken to a health center for medical attention.

SP Habiyaremye explained that the smoke-induced suffocation affected the workers, causing them to faint. The investigation revealed that the fatal incident occurred as the team worked on the machine, signaling a tragic outcome.

The bodies of the deceased RAB employees have been transported to Nyanza District Hospital for postmortem examinations. Authorities are diligently investigating to determine whether the incident resulted from any negligence or oversight during the maintenance work.

This unfortunate event serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent risks associated with manual labor and the critical importance of safety measures in all work environments.