Poisonous Gas Leak at Nigerian Mine Kills 37, Dozens Hospitalized

At least 37 people have died and 26 others have been admitted to hospital following a hazardous gas leak at a mine in Nigeria, officials confirmed. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Tuesday in Kampani Zurak, a hamlet located in the Wase area of Plateau State, north-central Nigeria.

According to police spokesperson Alfred Alabo, preliminary findings indicate that miners were exposed to a sudden and dangerous release of toxic gases inside the mining site.

“An abrupt release of lead oxide and other related gases, such as sulfur and carbon monoxide — which are toxic and poisonous to humans, especially in a confined or poorly ventilated environment — affected the miners,” Alabo said in an official statement.

Authorities noted that the victims were working underground when the emissions occurred, significantly increasing the risk of inhalation in what investigators believe was a poorly ventilated space.

Government Orders Immediate Closure of Mine

Following the incident, the Nigerian government ordered the immediate closure of the mining site pending a full investigation. Officials are now examining the circumstances surrounding the gas release, including safety compliance and operational oversight.

In a statement, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said early assessments suggest that the miners continued their work unaware of the toxic nature of the emissions.

The minister emphasized that regulatory authorities are working to determine what was being mined at the site and whether the operation was legally licensed.

Questions Over Legality and Safety Standards

It remains unclear whether the mine was operating within legal parameters or if it was part of Nigeria’s widespread informal mining sector. Illegal and unregulated mining activities have long posed safety, environmental, and economic challenges in the country.

Over the years, hundreds of people have lost their lives in unsafe Gold mining operations across Nigeria. The federal government has repeatedly pledged to tighten oversight and formalize the mining sector to prevent such tragedies.

Officials confirmed that the bodies of the deceased have been released to their families for burial in accordance with their religious traditions.

Ongoing Investigation

Emergency response teams and safety inspectors are continuing their inquiry to establish the precise cause of the gas leak and whether negligence or regulatory failures contributed to the disaster. Authorities are also assessing the condition of the 26 hospitalized victims.

The incident underscores persistent safety concerns in Nigeria’s mining industry, particularly in remote regions where monitoring and enforcement can be limited. As investigations proceed, pressure is mounting on regulators to strengthen safety protocols and ensure stricter compliance to prevent future loss of life.