Four people have been confirmed dead and five others injured after a gold mine collapsed early Saturday morning in Karon village, Turkwel area of West Pokot County.
According to West Pokot Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Wycliffe Munanda, the tragic incident occurred at around 3:00 a.m. when the miners were inside the pit. The mine suddenly caved in, burying all nine individuals who had entered at the time.
Emergency response teams managed to rescue five of the miners, who sustained various injuries. They have since been taken to Kapenguria County Referral Hospital for treatment. The bodies of the four deceased, three men and one woman, have been moved to the local mortuary.
County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif condemned a section of local leaders for allegedly inciting residents against police officers who had responded to the scene. He urged leaders to support rescue operations and ensure the safety of mining activities in the area.
Mining incidents have been a recurring concern in the region, where artisanal mining remains largely unregulated, often exposing miners to dangerous working conditions. Authorities have called for stricter enforcement of safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
Written By Rodney Mbua
