Plateau mining site tragedy: Dozens feared dead after suspected toxic gas exposure

Over 37 people are feared dead following a suspected toxic gas exposure at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, raising fresh concerns over unsafe mining practices in the region.

Shafi Sambo, the Wase Youth Leader, said he was alerted to the incident early Wednesday morning due to his role in the community.

“It happened at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government. We got information that the miners dug deep into the ground and were exposed to a gas that killed 37 of them instantly,” Sambo told reporters.

Several miners were reportedly rescued alive and rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment, though the exact number of survivors remains unclear.

Sambo added that the affected workers were mining zinc on behalf of a company said to be Chinese-owned. The precise mineral involved has yet to be confirmed.

Following the incident, troops of the Nigerian Army were deployed to the site. The youth leader said the soldiers cordoned off the area to prevent further access and possible exposure, as well as to maintain order.

“The army has since gone there and cordoned off the place to stop people from having access and also to stop the spread,” Sambo said.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Plateau State Government were unsuccessful. Calls to the State Commissioner for Environment, Peter Gwom, and the Local Government Chairman, Hamisu Anani, went unanswered as of press time.

The tragedy has renewed public concern over artisanal and company-backed mining operations, particularly in rural communities where safety protocols, environmental oversight, and emergency preparedness are often weak.

Residents, according to Channels, are calling on the Plateau State Government and relevant federal agencies to investigate the incident, hold responsible parties accountable, and enforce stricter safety measures to prevent further loss of lives.