Seven miners killed as pit collapses in Plateau community

By Kingsley Chukwuka

Seven miners have been killed after a mining pit collapsed on them at Kassa community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 7pm on Wednesday while the miners were carrying out mining activities at the site.

A resident of the community, Albert Danlami, said the pit suddenly caved in, trapping the miners underground.

According to him, the collapse immediately triggered panic in the community as residents and other miners rushed to the site to begin rescue and recovery efforts.

Danlami said the victims were working at the mining site when the earth suddenly gave way, burying them beneath the debris.

He added that some other people sustained injuries in the incident, although details of their conditions were not immediately available.

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The Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

Tengwong said seven miners lost their lives in the collapse, adding that the victims were at the site when the mining pit caved in.

He explained that residents and fellow miners made efforts to rescue those trapped underground, but the victims were eventually found dead.

The incident has renewed concerns over safety conditions at mining sites in Plateau State, where informal and artisanal mining activities are common.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine whether safety regulations were observed at the mining site.