Carbon Monoxide Leak Kills 37 Miners In Plateau State
At least 37 miners have died in Kampani Zurak, a community in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following a carbon monoxide gas leak early Wednesday morning. Safiyanu Haruna, a miner in the area, confirmed the tragedy and said over 20 other miners were injured and have been taken to a hospital in Wase town for treatment. The incident reportedly happened around 6:30 a.m., shortly after the miners returned from their morning prayers. Haruna explained that the victims were alive when they left for prayers, but were overcome by the gas upon returning to the mining site. “It was carbon monoxide gas that leaked and killed them. It is heartbreaking to wake up to the news of 37 miners losing their lives while struggling to make ends meet. Around 5:30 a.m., they were all alive, but when they returned from prayers, they were found in this condition,” he said. Haruna added that no rescue efforts were in place at the time because the team scheduled to arrive in the morning had not yet reached the site. Funeral prayers for the deceased are currently ongoing in the community. Residents told reporters that the chairman of Wase LGA attended the ceremony. Authorities are yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.