At least 37 people have died and 25 others have been hospitalized following a carbon monoxide poisoning incident at a mining site in the Wase area of Plateau State, local authorities confirmed Wednesday.
The tragic incident occurred in the Kampani community when fumes accumulated in a dormant lead mine, according to government officials. Emergency services responded to the scene, transporting the injured to nearby medical facilities. Security forces have since cordoned off the area to prevent further access.
While officials have confirmed 37 fatalities, the Plateau State government noted that the full death toll has yet to be determined, stating that many are feared dead.
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, provided details on the incident, explaining that local villagers, unaware of the toxic emissions, reportedly entered the tunnel to extract minerals and were overcome by the gas. In response, the federal government has ordered an immediate suspension of all mining activities in the vicinity to allow for a comprehensive investigation.
Plateau State, whose capital Jos is historically known as the “Tin City,” is a region with a long history of mining, though operations have declined in recent years. The event echoes past tragedies in the country last year, at least 18 people were killed in Zamfara State when a boulder collapsed onto an illegal mine during heavy rains.
