A devastating incident unfolded in Nigeria’s Zamfara state as a massive boulder collapsed onto an illegal mining site during heavy rains, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 individuals and leaving dozens more trapped. The tragedy occurred on Thursday near Kadauri village in the Maru district, according to local sources. Rescuers, including miners working in unauthorized pits, have been laboriously attempting to recover victims using rudimentary tools, as they await heavy machinery to aid their efforts. Sani Lawwali, a miner involved in the rescue operation, described the process as slow and grueling, with rescuers chiseling through the boulder by hand to create access points. The death toll was confirmed by Abubakar Nabube, a community leader, who expressed grave concerns about the survival chances of those still trapped if emergency assistance does not arrive soon. The collapse occurred at a newly established mining site, where dozens of miners were working despite the heavy rainfall. Illegal artisanal mining is rampant in Zamfara, a state rich in gold deposits, despite repeated government efforts to curb the practice. Authorities have linked illegal mining to escalating bandit violence, as criminal gangs exploit miners for protection fees. Emergency agencies have yet to respond to inquiries about the incident.