37 Persons Killed In A Suspected Gas Leak At A Mining Site In Plateau

Yakubu Busari

At least no fewer than 37 persons have died following a suspected toxic gas exposure at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, sparking renewed concerns over unsafe mining practices and regulation in the area.

The Wase Youth Leader, Shafi Sambo, said 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 in a phone interview.

Meanwhile, a miner in the community who confirmed the incident, said that over 20 victims who sustained injuries in the incident had been rushed to a hospital in Wase town for treatment.

The miner said the incident occurred around 6:30am when the victims, who had performed their morning prayers, returned to the mining site and suddenly fell victims to the gas leak.

“It was carbon monoxide gas that leaked and killed them. Waking up to the sad story of losing 37 miners who had been struggling to make ends meet. We’re disturbed by the incident. Around 5:30 am, they were all alive because they had left the site for morning prayer, and it was when they returned to the site that they were found in this condition.

”There was no rescue at the time of the incident because those who were supposed to come in the morning were yet to arrive at the scene. 37 persons were confirmed killed while over 20 were injured and are receiving treatment in the hospital,” the miner said.