Three people have been confirmed dead and five others injured when a gold mine collapsed in the Camp 15 area of Budi County, Eastern Equatoria State, over the weekend, county officials said.
Arkangelo Lokolimoi, the kimotong Payam executive director, said the incident occurred on Saturday at around 4 pm and that the injured were receiving treatment at Chukudum Hospital. He said the locals were involved in risky artisanal mining of gold for survival but cautioned them to take precautions.
“The incident involved gold miners who went and dug a deep hole (shaft) of more than five meters and some of them are not well versed in the art of mining. They entered the hole and it collapsed and the soil they had excavated buried them,” he explained.
Lokolimoi said the collapse happened when water entered the hole.
“They were a total of 8 people and 3 died. The 5 who were injured were taken to Chukudum Hospital for treatment,” he added.
The Chukudum Hospital administrator, Augustine Lokang, said that 3 of the injured are in critical condition and would be referred to Torit State Hospital for further attention.
“Although 3 sustained a lot of injuries, 2 have minor injuries and are at the hospital right now. They were given first aid and those who had open wounds were immediately rushed for medication and pain killers were given,” he said. “We are taking them for X-rays and after that those with fractures which we cannot manage will be referred to Torit State Hospital.”