West Pokot: Outrage as 4 Miners Die in Turkwel Goldmine Collapse
- Four artisanal miners died and five others were seriously injured after a goldmine collapsed near the Turkwel River in the Kositei sub-location, West Pokot
- The miners had returned to the site at night, unaware that the soil was unstable after daytime excavation by machinery
- Leaders condemned unsafe, illegal mining operations, calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and accountability to prevent future tragedies
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
West Pokot - A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, June 7, when a gold mining site near the Turkwel River in the Kositei sub-location caved in, killing four people and seriously injuring five others.
Source: Facebook
According to reports, the landslide occurred when approximately 15 artisanal miners were working inside the pit.
The miners had returned to the site under cover of darkness, armed with picks and hoes, unaware that the soil had become unstable after excavators had dug during the day.
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As Citizen TV reported, West Pokot Deputy County Commissioner Wycliffe Munanda confirmed the accident and noted that the miners entered the pit around 3am.
“We understand some nine people were inside the pit when it caved in. The five who were wounded have been taken to Kapenguria County Referral Hospital for treatment,” Munanda said.
Who were the miners killed in Turkwel goldmine collapse?
The four deceased, who included three men and one woman, have been identified as Lotudung Leng’ole (49), Poshen Termoi (27), Siliye Chepomerkut (32), and Lemareng Lorionomut (25).
Their bodies were moved to the Kapenguria County Referral Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
Several others were rescued unhurt in a multi-agency operation involving personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), General Service Unit (GSU), National Police Reservists (NPR), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), and the Kenya Red Cross.
West Pokot governor Simon Kachapin expressed his condolences and called for urgent action to improve safety in mining operations.
“This is a painful moment for our county. I send my heartfelt sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy healing to the injured. We must work together to prevent such tragedies by enforcing safety regulations,” said Kachapin.
Source: Facebook
Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong also condemned the accident, attributing it to illegal and unsafe mining activities.
“We remain firmly opposed to illegal commercial mining in West Pokot. These operations, driven by greed and carried out without regard for safety, continue to put lives at risk and exploit our people,” he said.
Authorities have reaffirmed their dedication to enforcing safety measures and ensuring legal compliance in the region's mining sector to avert future tragedies.
11 children die as pit collapses in Nigeria
In other news, authorities in Kaduna State, Nigeria, confirmed the tragic death of 11 children after a pit collapsed outside Yardoka village.
According to Kaduna State Police Spokesperson Mansir Hassan, the children—aged between four and nine—had been digging sand to make mud bricks when the incident occurred.
Seven other children sustained injuries and were hospitalised. Police officers, alongside local volunteers, responded swiftly and managed to retrieve all the victims from the debris.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
