NAROK, Kenya — At least five people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of the Kilima Pesa gold mine in Lolgorian, Transmara South, Narok County, as rescue teams race against time to reach an unknown number of miners believed to be trapped underground.
Transmara South Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Odeke said rescue operations are ongoing but have been hampered by the lack of specialized equipment needed to safely access the collapsed underground tunnels.
Speaking by phone on Wednesday, Odeke confirmed that five bodies had been recovered from the site, while authorities fear more miners remain trapped beneath the debris.
He said a specialized mining rescue team has been deployed to Lolgorian to reinforce local emergency responders and speed up the search operation.
According to the administrator, the rescue mission requires advanced underground search equipment, including specialized cameras, to locate survivors and safely navigate the collapsed tunnels.
“We require specialized equipment, including underground cameras, to effectively conduct the rescue operation,” Odeke said, noting that efforts are progressing slowly due to the challenging conditions at the site.
Police have cordoned off the area to secure the scene and facilitate rescue operations while preventing unauthorized access to the mine.
The bodies of the five victims have been moved to the Lolgorian Sub-County Hospital Mortuary pending identification and post-mortem examinations.
Authorities have not yet established the cause of the collapse, and investigations are expected to commence once rescue operations are concluded.
The number of miners still trapped underground remains unknown as emergency teams continue searching through the collapsed shafts.