Tragedy struck a mining community in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, after a suspected release of toxic gas reportedly killed dozens of miners working underground. The exact number of casualties has yet to be officially confirmed, but local sources say the death toll could be high, raising serious concerns about safety standards at mining sites in the area.
The incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of the morning when a group of miners allegedly dug deeper than usual in search of mineral deposits. During the excavation, they were reportedly exposed to a dangerous gas believed to have accumulated underground. Witnesses say many of the miners collapsed almost immediately.
The Wase Youth Leader, Shafi Sambo, who confirmed the development, said he received a distress call at dawn informing him of the disaster. According to him, preliminary reports indicated that about 37 miners may have died on the spot after inhaling the suspected toxic substance. However, authorities have not released an official casualty figure.
Sambo explained that some of the miners were rescued alive and rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. The number of survivors remains unclear as medical personnel continue to attend to those affected.
He further disclosed that the victims were reportedly mining zinc for a company believed to be owned by Chinese interests operating in the area. However, the specific details of the company’s operations and the exact mineral being extracted have not yet been independently verified.
Following news of the incident, troops of the Nigerian Army were deployed to the site. The soldiers immediately cordoned off the mining location to prevent residents and other miners from entering the area and risking further exposure.
“The army has secured the place and stopped people from going near it,” Sambo said. “This is to avoid more casualties and to maintain order.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Government had not issued an official statement on the incident. Repeated attempts to reach the State Commissioner for Environment, Peter Gwom, and the Chairman of Wase Local Government Area, Hamisu Anani, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not responded to.
The incident has once again brought attention to the dangers associated with mining activities in rural communities across Plateau State. Both artisanal miners and those working for larger companies often operate in hazardous conditions, with limited safety equipment and little regulatory supervision.
Community members are now urging the state government and relevant federal agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the tragedy. They are also calling for stricter enforcement of mining regulations, improved safety standards, and better emergency response systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The disaster adds to growing concerns about environmental risks and worker safety in Nigeria’s mining sector, particularly in remote areas where oversight is weak and compliance with safety protocols is often poorly monitored.
