Gold Mine Collapse in Kaabong Claims Three Lives ‎

Three people were killed, and another was injured after a gold mine pit collapsed on Sunday morning in the Sokodu mining area, Kaabong East Sub-County, Kaabong District, highlighting the dangers of artisanal mining in unstable conditions. The incident occurred around 7:45 am when four miners were extracting gold, and the soil caved in, burying them.

The deceased have been identified as Modo Lopeyok from Lomonye village, Naudu Lopeyok from Sokodu village, and Lokonoi Lokudongiro from Sokodu village. Michael Lochola, the sole survivor, is receiving treatment at Kaabong General Hospital. John Bosco Lokol, LC3 Chairperson of Kaabong East Sub-County, said the collapse was caused by unstable soil structures worsened by recent torrential rains.

He added that despite repeated sensitization meetings, miners continue to ignore safety precautions due to hunger and poverty. “Hunger drives people to the mining site, making them disregard all safety measures just to survive,” Lokol explained. Lokol noted that mining accidents are frequent in the area and called on the government and partners to provide modern safety equipment to artisanal miners to prevent future tragedies.