A catastrophic gas explosion at a lead mining operation in Nigeria’s central Plateau State has resulted in a significant loss of life, with 38 miners confirmed dead and 27 others hospitalized with injuries. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday morning between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. local time at the Kampanin Zurak site in the Wase district.
According to local authorities, including acting traditional ruler Alhaji Aliyu Adamu Idris, the victims were working underground when the explosion, attributed to a buildup of carbon monoxide, ripped through the mining pit. Rescue efforts were immediately launched by fellow miners from adjacent sites, but the scale of the blast proved overwhelming.
Ibrahim Dattijo Sani, a miner working nearby, described the suddenness of the event to AFP, stating, “We are close to the sites, people were inside the mining pits and suddenly a gas exploded. We tried many efforts for rescue but unfortunately 38 people have died.”
The mining site is reportedly operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited. This region, with its capital Jos historically known as the ‘Tin City,’ has a long-standing mining tradition, though activity has diminished in recent years. The incident highlights the ongoing dangers within Nigeria’s extractive industries, where safety protocols are often inadequate.
This tragedy follows a similar pattern of mining disasters in the country. Just last September, at least 18 individuals lost their lives in Zamfara state when a boulder collapsed onto an illegal mining operation during heavy rainfall. Nigerian authorities have repeatedly cited illegal mining as a catalyst for worsening bandit violence, with criminal organizations extorting protection fees from miners.