At least 30 miners were killed and 25 others hospitalised on Wednesday after inhaling carbon monoxide while working underground at a mining site in Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State.
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Eyewitnesses reported that the victims, mostly young men aged between 20 and 35, collapsed while carrying out routine operations at the mining company. Several of the injured remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment at a nearby primary health centre.
Haruna Safiyanu, a miner based in Wase, told reporters that toxic gas had accumulated in poorly ventilated tunnels, causing the sudden collapse of multiple workers.
“While we were working, a dense gas filled the tunnels, and many colleagues just fell immediately,” Safiyanu said.
Rescue teams, assisted by mining site personnel, swiftly cordoned off the area and evacuated survivors for urgent medical attention. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the gas build-up and are working to prevent further incidents.
According to local reports, including the counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday in the Zurak area of Wase LGA. Eyewitnesses said the miners inhaled the toxic gas while conducting routine operations underground, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries.
Joyce Ramnap, Plateau State Commissioner of Information, confirmed the incident to TheCable, though she said official casualty figures were still being verified. Police sources noted that the mining site has been fully secured to prevent additional exposure and to allow investigators to determine the exact circumstances behind the gas leak.
Experts warn that underground miners face a high risk of exposure to toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, often generated by mine fires or explosions. The Mayo Clinic notes that excessive carbon monoxide in the air can replace oxygen in the blood, causing serious tissue damage or death. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also cites carbon monoxide exposure as a leading occupational hazard in underground mining.
Authorities have appealed for caution in all mining operations, urging companies to ensure proper ventilation and safety measures to protect workers from similar tragedies in the future.
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