A devastating pit collapse in central Nigeria has trapped dozens of gold miners underground, while rescue efforts continue.
The incident occurred on Monday, June 3, 2024, following heavy rainfall in Niger state, but news was slow to spread due to the country’s general strike, which was lifted on Tuesday.
According to Niger state emergency service agency spokesman Hussaini Ibrahim, who spoke with the BBC, one person has been confirmed dead, and more than 30 people are believed to be trapped.
Six people were rescued and transported to the hospital, while four excavators and rescue workers are on the scene attempting to assist those trapped.
“As of this morning [Wednesday], we believe over 30 people are still trapped, we can’t give you exact figures because even those on site didn’t know,” said Ibrahim.
“One person has been confirmed dead and six persons were rescued and rushed to the hospital.” Officials blame the collapse on the heavy rains that softened the soil.
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has assured that Mines Inspectorate officials have been dispatched to the mining site in Galadima Kogo to investigate the causes of the disaster and ensure the safety of all Nigerians.
In January, a deadly blast in Ibadan killed two people and injured 77 others, allegedly caused by explosives stored by illegal miners.
This incident highlights the frequency of mining accidents in Nigeria, the majority of which involve illegal miners and go unreported.
The rescue efforts continue, with the nation hoping for a safe recovery of the trapped miners.
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