A deadly incident has claimed the lives of dozens of miners at a lead and zinc mine in central Nigeria’s Plateau state, with witnesses pointing to a suspected carbon monoxide leak as the cause.
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours at a site near Wase town, operated by Solid Unity Nigeria Ltd, where toxic gas reportedly accumulated in underground tunnels with poor ventilation.
Workers arriving for the morning shift discovered their colleagues unconscious, while others were pulled out alive and taken to a nearby hospital for urgent care.
Security teams quickly sealed the area, about 200 kilometres southeast of the state capital Jos, as authorities launched inquiries into the incident. The response has been slowed by the threat of armed gangs in the region, making immediate access and rescue efforts difficult. Safiyanu Haruna, a miner who found the victims, confirmed that some miners survived and were receiving treatment at a hospital in Wase.
“It was carbon-monoxide gas that leaked and killed them,” Haruna said.
“There was no rescue for them at the time because those who were coming for the morning shift had yet to arrive,” he added.
Haruna said the incident occurred around 06:30 local time, shortly after miners had performed their early morning Muslim prayers before returning underground to continue their shift. He estimated that 37 miners lost their lives in the disaster.
“It is sad to lose 37 miners who were struggling to make ends meet. We're disturbed by the incident,” he said.
Meanwhile, Plateau state authorities, citing a preliminary investigation, reported that 33 miners were killed, describing the event as a blast. Workers at the scene, however, rejected this account, insisting the deaths were caused by gas exposure rather than an explosion.
Local residents said the victims, mostly men aged between 20 and 40, were buried quickly following traditional rites. The community, predominantly Muslim, is now mourning the loss of workers who were trying to provide for their families.
Mining accidents are frequent in Nigeria. Less than two years ago, a similar event in Niger state killed dozens of gold miners trapped underground after heavy rains weakened the soil.
The latest disaster is expected to spark renewed concern over safety standards and emergency readiness in Nigeria’s mining operations, particularly in remote regions where oversight is limited.
