37 Miners Dead in Nigeria Carbon Monoxide Incident. Jos, Nigeria — 2026-02-19 Lead Paragraph At least 37 miners have lost their lives due to carbon monoxide poisoning in a mining accident in central Nigeria, according to Reuters.
The incident occurred at a lead mine in the Kampani community, Wase area of Plateau State.
An additional 25 people were hospitalized, and the local government is working to assess the full impact of the tragedy. Body.
The Plateau State government identified the mine as dormant, with accumulated minerals releasing lethal fumes.
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, attributed the accident to local villagers, unaware of the toxic emissions, who entered the tunnel to extract minerals.
The area is known for its informal and illegal mining activities, which often lack proper safety measures and government oversight. This incident underscores the risks associated with illegal mining practices in Nigeria, where extractive operations frequently fail to meet basic safety standards.
The federal government has responded by ordering an immediate suspension of all mining activities near the accident site to allow for a comprehensive investigation. Plateau State has a long history in the mining industry, with Jos, its capital, once known as the Tin City.
However, mining activities have diminished in recent years.
This tragedy is reminiscent of previous mining accidents in Nigeria, such as the 18 deaths in Zamfara State last year, when a boulder crashed onto an illegal mine during heavy rains.
The African continent’s pursuit of mineral wealth continues to be marked by mining disasters, with recent events highlighting the dangers of both legal and unregulated operations. For instance, an estimated 200 people were killed in a coltan mine collapse in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last month.
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The full extent of the tragedy and its aftermath remain under assessment.
The government has promised to investigate the incident thoroughly and take necessary actions to prevent such disasters in the future.
Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
