An unconfirmed number of miners have reportedly died following suspected toxic gas exposure at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Wase Youth Leader, Shafi Sambo, disclosed the incident during an interview with Channels Television, stating that he received an early-morning distress call regarding the occurrence.
āIt 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,ā Sambo said.
He noted that several other miners were rescued alive and rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention, although the exact number of survivors could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.
According to Sambo, the affected youths were mining zinc on behalf of a company believed to be a Chinese-owned firm operating in the area. However, the exact nature of the mineral being extracted had not been officially confirmed.
In response to the incident, troops of the Nigerian Army were deployed to the site. Sambo said the soldiers cordoned off the area to prevent further access and possible exposure.
āThe army has since gone there and cordoned off the place to stop people from having access and also to stop the spread,ā he added.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official statement from the mining company or relevant state authorities.
Suspected gas leak kills dozens at Plateau mining site
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