Horror as 37 miners dead in Nigeria after ‘toxic gas leak’ | World | News

At least 37 miners have died after a suspected gas leak in Nigeria. According to the reports, the incident is believed to have happened just before sunrise at a site outside the town of Wase run by the mining company Solid Unity Nigeria Ltd.

The mine, which is about 200km (124 miles) south-east of the state capital of Jos, has been sealed off by the security personnel as the investigations continued to identify the cause of the leak.

Toxic gas is thought to have accumulated underground in the poorly ventilated tunnels, causing the workers to collapse shortly before the end of their night shift. They were found by colleagues arriving for the morning shift, and more than 20 other miners were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment.

Safiyanu Haruna, one of the miners who found the bodies at the start of his shift, told the BBC that some of the miners who were underground survived and were taken to a hospital in Wase for treatment.

He said: “There was no rescue for them at the time because those who were coming for the morning shift had yet to arrive”

“It was carbon-monoxide gas that leaked and killed them.

“There was no rescue for them at the time because those who were coming for the morning shift had yet to arrive.

“It is sad to lose 37 miners who were struggling to make ends meet. We’re disturbed by the incident.”

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According to another resident who spoke to the BBC, the victims—thought to be men between 20 and 40 years old—were buried soon after in keeping with local customs.

The news has left the predominantly Muslim community deeply shaken.

Mining accidents are relatively common in Nigeria. Fewer than two years ago, dozens of gold miners lost their lives in neighbouring Niger State after becoming trapped underground when a pit collapsed.

Officials believe that disaster was triggered by heavy rainfall that weakened the soil.

This latest tragedy is expected to reignite concerns about safety standards within Nigeria’s mining industry.