A couple died on Tuesday evening at Kambi Karaya near Lami Nyeusi in Pokot Central Sub County after a gold mine they were working at caved in, burying them alive.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, Sarmach Sub Location Assistant Chief Benjamin Lotudo said that the rescue mission was still underway, although the rescuers are afraid the couple might have perished in the mine.
“The man, aged 31, and his wife, 28, were both still trapped in the mine by this morning, and we fear for their lives. We have tried to remove them, but in vain,” said Lotudo.
On his part, West Pokot County Police Commander Peter Kattam cited that the two were mining gold before meeting the tragedy, adding that they were deep in the rubble.
He claimed that because rescuers needed machines to carry out the procedure, efforts to save the two were becoming fruitless.
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The rescue has been made more challenging by the danger of the pits and the fact that the security crew could not approach the miners using standard mining equipment like drills and spades.
David Domungura, a local, observed that although the couple was trying to provide for their family, they ultimately perished.
“This is not their first time working on the mines because they visit the gold pits daily. Neighbours heard their distress calls and rushed to rescue them, but unfortunately, the two had already been buried alive."
He revealed that many locals within the area have resorted to gold mining for cash owing to the hunger and food shortages being witnessed in the region.
“The hard economic times have driven many families in the mines to at least get some cash to put food on the table,” he said.
