The local authorities in Kapoeta South County in Eastern Equatoria State have said at least ten people died after an informal gold mine collapsed last week in Nakiki Village due to torrential rains.
The bodies of five of the miners have been recovered and three other miners are nursing injuries. The bodies of the other five miners remain trapped inside a hole estimated to be between 8 to 9 meters deep, according to a local official.
In March, at least seven gold miners died while another survived after a gold mine collapsed in the Naknak area of Kapoeta South County. Since last year, the death toll of people killed in gold mine collapse incidents has risen to 14.
Kapoeta South County Executive Director Juma Justine told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that the incident happened last Wednesday at around 5 p.m. and the injured were rushed to Kapoeta Civil Hospital for treatment.
“Our people here are locally mining gold from underground and excavate holes up to 7 or 8 meters and last Wednesday one of the mines collapsed on a group of people,” he said. “Three injured male miners were brought to the hospital and one was in critical condition. Unfortunately, ten miners died and they only managed to recover five dead bodies.”
Doctor John Isaac, Medical Director at Kapoeta Civil Hospital, confirmed that the three injured miners are receiving treatment at the facility and are improving.
“We received them about two days ago, we first received two when I checked but the number has currently gone to three,” he stated. “Their injuries range from minor to moderate but we are managing them and there is no need to refer them for further treatment.”
Meanwhile, Juma Tigol, the coordinator of the Civil Society Network in Greater Kapoeta, urged the government to intervene and mitigate the recurrent accidents.
“Such incidents of mines collapsing have happened several times and many people died,” he said. “The government should devise means for best mining practices and enlighten the communities on how to mine safely. The miners need to be trained in safe practices.”