Several Feared Trapped as Mining Pits Collapse in Zamfara

The Executive Secretary of Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency, Bala Ahmad on Friday, confirmed the collapse of mining pits trapping several artisanal miners.

The tragic event occurred in the Kadauri community, Maru Local Government Area of the state.

Ahmad, who gave the confirmation to the News Agency of Nigeria in Gusau on Friday, however, did not give further information on the incident which occurred on Thursday night.

The ES said that he was in a meeting with stakeholders, assuring to give further details on the incident in due course.

Local community leaders, however, told NAN via telephone that many artisanal miners were trapped following the collapse of mining pits.

They said that the mining pits collapsed after several hours of rain in the area.

The locals said that the number of casualties and those still trapped in the mining pits was not yet known.

They, however, said those who sustained injuries were being treated at the Maru General Hospital.

The locals said they were battling alongside officers of the state to rescue survivors still trapped in the collapse pits.

PUNCH Online had reported that a tragic mining accident occurred in the Dura community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, where four miners lost their lives after a mining site collapsed.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened on Thursday night when the ground collapsed on four individuals working in the pit.