At least 30 miners have been buried alive following a catastrophic collapse at an illegal mining site located between Gashaka Local Government Area in Taraba State and Toungo Local Government Area in Adamawa State. The tragedy has plunged the border communities into mourning as rescuers struggle with the impossibility of retrieving the bodies from the massive pit.
Initial reports on Thursday indicated that 22 miners were feared dead after the accident, but a grim update provided on Friday by Toungo Local Government Information Officer, Umar Adamu, confirmed that no fewer than 30 individuals were entombed in the collapse. Adamu disclosed that the miners, who were excavating gold in the unregulated pit, were “shoved deep into the earth” as the site gave way, making any recovery efforts futile.
Local authorities and residents have gathered at the site, performing funeral prayers according to Islamic rites, as it is believed most of the deceased were Muslim. The deeply-rooted tradition allowed the community to pay respects in the absence of a proper burial, offering prayers at the scene in honor of the fallen miners.
Growing Concerns Over Unregulated Mining and Safety Hazards
The incident sheds a harsh light on the perils of illegal mining activities across Nigeria, where poverty and lack of regulation often push locals to pursue dangerous work. This particular site, a sprawling and unmonitored pit, had reportedly been attracting miners from both states despite mounting concerns over the safety risks associated with the depth and instability of the ground.
Local authorities from both Adamawa and Taraba have vowed to investigate the conditions that led to the tragedy, but safety advocates argue that illegal mining remains a pervasive issue in the region. The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has previously warned about the environmental and human risks posed by unregulated mining, which has been reported in several states across northern Nigeria.
Residents have expressed grief and frustration, calling for stricter measures to prevent future tragedies. “This wasn’t the first accident, but it is by far the worst,” a local elder stated. “These are our sons, brothers, and fathers, and we must find a way to make these mining sites safer.”
