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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Ten people are unaccounted for following a deadly incident at an underground mining site in Kampani Zurak in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
An explosion at the site had emitted poisonous carbon monoxide gas, which claimed the lives of over 33 persons.
A youth leader in Wase Local Government Council, Shapi’i Sambo, confirmed this to our correspondent in Jos on Wednesday evening.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that no fewer than 33 miners died, while 25 others were hospitalised after inhaling the poisonous gas during routine operations at the mining tunnel operated by Solid Unit Nig Ltd.
The victims, mostly young men aged between 20 and 35, suddenly collapsed inside the poorly ventilated underground shaft.
Haruna Safiyanu, a miner in Wase, had told journalists that the toxic gas had built up in the tunnels due to inadequate ventilation, leading to the sudden collapse of several workers.
He noted that some of the injured remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment at a nearby primary health centre.
The Plateau State Government had earlier confirmed the incident in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon Joyce Ramnap.
