Daud Olatunji
Panic and grief have gripped Kassa community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State after seven miners were killed when a mining pit collapsed on them while they were working at the site.
The incident reportedly occurred around 7pm on Wednesday, leaving residents and fellow miners scrambling to rescue those trapped underground.
The miners were said to have been working at the site when the earth suddenly gave way, burying them beneath the collapsed section of the mining pit.
A resident, Albert Danlami, who confirmed the incident, said members of the community and other miners immediately mobilised to the site after receiving news of the collapse.
He said the victims were eventually recovered dead.
“The victims were trapped underground following the collapse, prompting residents and other miners to commence efforts to recover them,” Danlami said.
The incident reportedly triggered panic in the community, with residents rushing to the mining site as efforts were made to locate and rescue the trapped miners.
Some other people were also reportedly injured in the collapse, although details of their condition were not immediately available.
The Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Rwang Tengwong, corroborated the death toll, saying seven miners lost their lives in the incident.
Tengwong said the victims were at the mining site when the pit collapsed.
He added that rescue efforts were launched after the incident, but the miners were found dead.
The tragedy has plunged the community into mourning and renewed concerns over the safety of mining operations in Barkin Ladi and other mining areas of Plateau State.
A resident, Timothy Bako, described the deaths as devastating, particularly because the victims were reportedly working to support their families.
Bako called on the government and relevant mining authorities to urgently intervene and enforce safety standards at mining sites across the area.
“We are heartbroken. These are young men who went to work to feed their families. The pit was too deep and there were no safety measures. Government must come and regulate these mining sites before more lives are lost,” he said.
Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over what he described as recurring dangers associated with mining activities in the community.
The resident said many miners operated under hazardous conditions, with little or no protection against pit collapses.
“Every time we hear this kind of news. People are digging with bare hands and no support. We need help from government and mining experts to prevent this from happening again,” the resident said.
The latest incident has intensified calls for stronger regulation of mining activities in Barkin Ladi, including stricter enforcement of safety requirements and closer monitoring of mining pits.
Community leaders are also demanding immediate assistance for the families of the deceased miners, while urging the Plateau State Government and relevant regulatory agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
Residents said the latest deaths should serve as a warning to authorities about the risks posed by poorly regulated mining operations and the need for operators to comply with established safety standards.
With seven miners confirmed dead in the latest incident, fears have heightened among residents over the safety of workers operating in mining communities across Barkin Ladi and surrounding areas.
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