At least 37 miners have died and 25 others were hospitalised due to suffocation at a mining site in Plateau State, Nigeria, media reports said.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning in a mining pit in Kampani, a community in the Wase area, Reuters reported.
Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, said the site was an abandoned lead mine where stored mineral deposits could release toxic gases.
Local residents, unaware of the dangers, reportedly entered the tunnel and inhaled the poisonous gas while attempting to extract minerals.
The report confirmed 37 deaths and 25 hospitalisations, warning that the toll could rise further.
In response, the federal government of Nigeria has ordered the suspension of all mining activities in the affected area pending the completion of investigations.
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