At least 37 miners are feared dead after a suspected toxic gas exposure at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
This has sparked renewed concerns over the unsafe mining practices and regulation in the area.
Channels Television reported that the Wase Youth Leader, Shafi Sambo, revealed that he received an early-morning call alerting him to the tragedy because of his position as the youth leader of the area.
“It happened at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government. We got information that the miners dug deep into the ground and were exposed to a gas that killed 37 of them instantly,” Sambo said.
He stated that several other miners were rescued alive and rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention, though the exact number of survivors remains unclear as of press time.
Sambo disclosed that the youths were mining Zinc on behalf of a company said to be a Chinese-owned mining firm operating in the area. The nature of the mineral being mined was not immediately confirmed.
After the incident, troops of the Nigerian Army were deployed to the site. According to the youth leader, the soldiers cordoned off the area to prevent further access and possible exposure, as well as to control the situation.