NAROK, Kenya, July 22 (Xinhua) -- At least five miners were killed after a gold mine collapsed in Narok County in southwestern Kenya, local authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
Narok County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia said rescue operations were continuing to save additional miners believed to be trapped underground after the tunnel collapsed following heavy rains.
"Rescue teams are at the scene to assist in the rescue of more people believed to be trapped," Loboria told Xinhua by phone.
Loboria said search and rescue efforts remained underway in the Kilimapesa area, but progress had been hampered by a shortage of specialized mining equipment.
"The operation is moving slowly due to a lack of specialized underground search equipment and cameras," he said.
Loboria added that several survivors had been rescued from the site and taken to nearby health facilities for medical treatment.
Kilimapesa, located about 180 km south of Narok Town, is home to Kenya's largest commercial gold mining operation.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over safety in Kenya's gold mining sector, which has been plagued by fatal accidents in recent years.
The recurring tragedies have prompted renewed calls from stakeholders for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and standards across the industry.
Gold mining is a primary source of livelihood for thousands of artisanal miners across Kenya. However, informal and unregulated operations in gold-rich regions have claimed dozens of lives due to frequent mine collapses and hazardous working conditions. ■