At least 37 miners have died from carbon monoxide poisoning at a mining site in central Nigeria, the Reuters news agency reports.
The deadly incident, which took place on Wednesday morning in the Kampani community in the Wase area of Plateau State, also resulted in the hospitalisation of 25 people, Reuters said, citing a police source and a security report the news agency obtained.
Government officials identified the location as a dormant lead mine where accumulated minerals had released lethal fumes.
The Plateau State government said many were feared dead without providing an exact figure, adding that others were receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.
Security forces have cordoned off the site to prevent further access.
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake said that the accident occurred when local villagers, unaware of the toxic nature of the emissions, reportedly entered the tunnel to extract minerals and inhaled the gas.
Illegal mining remains a widespread concern in Nigeria, where extractive operations frequently lack both government oversight and basic safety protocols.
The federal government in Nigeria has ordered an immediate suspension of all mining activities in areas near the accident site to allow for a comprehensive investigation, Reuters said.
Plateau State is a historical mining region, with its capital, Jos, known as the Tin City, though mining activities have slowed in recent years.
