At least 37 miners have died in Kampani Zurak community, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, after a carbon monoxide leak early Wednesday morning.
Safiyanu Haruna, a miner from the area, confirmed the tragedy and said more than 20 people who were injured have been rushed to a hospital in Wase town for treatment.
Haruna explained that the incident happened around 6:30 a.m. after the miners had returned from their morning prayers. “It was carbon monoxide gas that leaked and killed them. Waking up to the sad story of losing 37 miners who had been struggling to make ends meet. We’re disturbed by the incident. Around 5:30 am, they were all alive because they had left the site for morning prayer, and it was when they returned to the site that they were found in this condition,” he said.
He added that no rescue team was present at the time because those expected in the morning had not yet arrived. “37 persons were confirmed killed while over 20 were injured and are receiving treatment in the hospital,” Haruna said.
The funeral prayers for the deceased are currently taking place in the community. Residents told our correspondent that the LGA chairman attended the prayers, though authorities have not yet made an official statement on the incident.
