Carbon monoxide exposure kills 37 miners in Plateau

No fewer than 37 miners have died and 25 others were hospitalised following suspected carbon monoxide exposure at a mining site in Zurak community, Wase, Plateau State.

Sources said the tragedy occurred in the early hours of Feb. 18 at a facility operated by Solid Mining Company, where workers were engaged in routine underground operations.

The victims, mostly young men between the ages of 20 and 35, reportedly inhaled toxic gas that had accumulated inside poorly ventilated tunnels, leading to sudden suffocation.

Eyewitnesses said several miners collapsed underground, triggering panic as colleagues scrambled to rescue those affected and evacuate them to safety.

Rescue teams and site personnel cordoned off the area and rushed survivors to a nearby primary healthcare centre for treatment.

At least 25 victims are currently receiving medical attention, with some said to be in critical condition.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including safety and ventilation conditions at the site.