The Zamfara State Government has confirmed that 10 persons died in a mining pit collapse at Kadauri village, Maru local government area.
ASHENEWS reported on Saturday that, at least, 100 people died after a gold mine pit collapsed at the Kadauri gold site in Maru local government area of Zamfara State.
Rescue workers, supported by local residents, were reported to have rushed to the scene and recovered 13 bodies, including that of a relative of one of the victims.
Many more miners were reported to be trapped beneath the rubble, which raisrd fears that the death toll could climb.
However, the Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, told PUNCH on Saturday that the state’s Ministry of Environment had visited the site, where 10 bodies were recovered and one person rescued alive.
Kaura said the government has commiserated with the families of the victims and directed the Maru council chairman to take inventory of those affected to enable the state to provide support.
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He blamed the tragedy on illegal mining, warning that heavy rainfall could trigger more pit collapses. Kaura also expressed concern that the influx of miners from within and outside Nigeria could fuel insecurity.
“The Federal Government, which controls mineral resources, must take decisive action. It is worrisome that over 20,000 illegal miners are currently in Zamfara,” he said.
However, eyewitnesses and other reports indicated that no fewer than 13 bodies were recovered, with several others still believed to be trapped.
