Children Perish in Moroto Gold Mine Collapse; Mother Injured

A devastating mine collapse in Katikekile Sub-county, Moroto District, has claimed the lives of two children and left their mother critically injured. The incident occurred in Lokapirio Village when a mining pit caved in, trapping 23-year-old Keem Keregai and her two young children, 3-year-old Calvin Amuria and 1-year-old Nakiru Joan.

Eyewitnesses reported that the children died at the scene, buried under debris. Local miners, using only basic tools like hoes and spades, initiated a difficult rescue operation for Keregai. “We tried our best to save the family, but we only had rudimentary tools such as hoes and spades to dig through the collapsed soil,” stated Jeremy Sagal, one of the rescuers.

Keregai was eventually extricated from the rubble with severe injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital. The Karamoja Regional Police Spokesperson, Mike Longole, confirmed that investigations into the cause of the collapse are underway. A police team led by ASP Alfred Olila has visited the site.

Authorities are strongly urging mining communities to cease involving children in mining activities and to avoid working in precarious pits. “We urge members of the public to keep children away from mining sites and ensure that mining activities are conducted in safe and stable areas to prevent such tragic incidents,” Longole emphasized.

This tragedy underscores the persistent safety issues in Karamoja’s artisanal mining sector, where inadequate equipment and unsafe practices place numerous lives at risk daily. Officials continue to advocate for enhanced safety protocols and stricter enforcement of mining regulations.

Read more at: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/357983/two-children-killed-mother-injured-after-gold-mine-collapse-in-moroto