Local authorities in Eastern Equatoria State’s Kapoeta South County reported that a gold mine collapse in Nakiki Village last Wednesday left ten miners dead and several others injured. The incident, triggered by intense rainfall, caused a shaft around 8 to 9 meters deep to cave in on workers.
Emergency teams recovered five bodies, but five others remain trapped within the site. Three miners who sustained injuries were taken to Kapoeta Civil Hospital, where they are receiving treatment. Hospital Director Dr. John Isaac confirmed that the injured men are stable, with injuries ranging from mild to moderate.
This latest incident adds to a series of tragic collapses in the region. In March, another mine collapse in Naknak claimed seven lives, raising the overall death toll in the past year to fourteen. Kapoeta South County’s Executive Director, Juma Justine, urged safety improvements for local miners. He explained, “Many here excavate by hand, creating deep holes that become dangerous with rain.”
In response to frequent accidents, civil society leader Juma Tigol from the Greater Kapoeta Civil Society Network called on authorities to promote safe mining practices and provide essential training for miners. “Fatal collapses keep happening, and the government needs to support safer mining methods,” he stated.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday morning, armed attackers stormed a cattle camp near Mogiri Town along the Juba-Bor Highway, killing nine traders, injuring 14 others, and stealing approximately 600 cattle. According to Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) Information Minister Oleyo Akwer Nyalus, the assailants, dressed in a mix of military and other uniforms, fled southward with the cattle.
Nyalus condemned the assault, noting that the attackers struck near a military post without intervention. “It’s troubling that armed men, some in military attire, attacked traders so close to security forces,” he commented. The injured were taken to Juba for medical treatment, while local leaders, including GPAA’s Chief Administrator and Central Equatoria State Governor Agustino Jadallah, met in Mogiri to address the situation.
Civil society activist Bol Deng Bol, based in Jonglei State, echoed concerns over security lapses, describing the attack as a “severe failure in protection for civilians.” He called for an in-depth investigation and highlighted the growing danger along the Juba-Bor Highway.