Poisonous gas leak at Nigeria mine kills 37, dozens hospitalised: What we know so far

(FILES) A gold miner works underground in Anka near Gusau, on December 4,2019. (File image used for representation)

At least 37 people died and 26 were hospitalized after a toxic gas leak at a mining site in Plateau State, Nigeria. Authorities shut the site, launched an investigation, and cited lack of awareness and safety standards as persistent issues in illegal mining.

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At least 37 people were killed and 26 others hospitalised after a toxic gas leak at a mining site in north-central Nigeria, police said on Tuesday.

The incident took place in the early hours of the morning in Kampani Zurak community in the Wase area of Plateau State, according to police spokesperson Alfred Alabo.

In a statement, Alabo said initial findings pointed to the release of highly dangerous gases inside the mine.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the miners were affected due to a sudden discharge of lead oxide and other associated gases like sulphur and carbon monoxide which are toxic and poisonous to humans, particularly in a confined or poorly ventilated environment,” he said.

Police said the victims were working inside the mine when the gases were released, leaving them with little chance of escape.

“The bodies of the victims have been released to their families for burial according to their religious practices,” Alabo added.

Site shut, investigation underway

Following the incident, Nigerian authorities ordered the immediate closure of the mining site and launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the gas leak and establish accountability.

The federal government said the miners were unaware of the toxic nature of the emissions and continued working despite the danger.

“The miners were not aware of the toxic nature of the emissions and continued their operations,” Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, said in a separate statement.

Officials have not yet confirmed what mineral was being extracted at the site, nor whether the mine was operating legally.

Illegal mining a persistent problem

Nigeria has struggled for years to regulate its vast informal mining sector, particularly illegal gold mining operations that are common in remote areas. Such activities often take place without safety standards, ventilation systems or protective equipment.

Accidents linked to illegal mining have killed hundreds of people across the country over the past decade, with toxic exposure and tunnel collapses among the most frequent causes.

Authorities have repeatedly pledged to crack down on illegal mining and improve oversight of the sector, but enforcement remains uneven, especially in rural regions.

The investigation into the Kampani Zurak incident is ongoing, with officials expected to determine whether negligence, illegal operations or regulatory failures contributed to one of the deadliest mining accidents in the region in recent years.