A 15-year-old girl was trapped underground as a gold mine collapsed in Narworwo village, Alale Location, Pokot North Sub County in West Pokot County. 

The victim identified as Nakiru Ngolenyang was unable to escape during the unfortunate incident that occurred on Wednesday January 17, 2024.

Confirming the incident via phone,  Alale Location Chief Jackson Lokwakile said on Wednesday a group of women was in the gold mine before it collapsed but other women managed to escape alive.

The chief added that the women realized later that  the 15-year-old girl who had accompanied them to the gold mines was missing.

READ ALSO: Gold miner electrocuted to death in Siaya

“Upon realising that the girl had been trapped we moved with speed and alerted relevant authorities including the county disaster team but up to now no one has shown up,” said Lokwakile.

According to Lokwakile, family members and residents camped at the scene for two consecutive days in an attempt to retrieve her body without success.

READ ALSO: Search on for 3 gold miners feared dead in Kuria West

The area chief added that the scene has become risky to the rescuers as they are unable to remove the mud and other debris including rocks from the gold mine.

READ ALSO: Underground gold mine claims two lives in Kakamega

Speaking to Cape Media on Sunday, January 21, Special programs, humanitarian coordination and disaster management chief officer in the county government of West Pokot David Chepolion said the department has sent a team to help in the rescue exercise.

Story by Andrew Juma, TV47’s correspondent in West Pokot County