At least 33 lead mine workers in Nigeria died, suspected due to a carbon monoxide gas leak. Several dozen injured workers were also rushed to hospital.
Foreign news agencies reported on 18 Feb 2026 that at least 33 mine workers in Nigeria died, with the cause believed to be a carbon monoxide gas leak inside a lead and zinc mine in Plateau State, central Nigeria.
It is believed the tragedy occurred before dawn at a mining site outside Wase town, operated by Solid Unity Nigeria Ltd.
Officials suspect toxic gas leaked and accumulated underground in poorly ventilated tunnels, causing workers to lose consciousness and collapse near the end of the night shift.
Their bodies were found by workers arriving for the morning shift. Over 20 other mine workers were rescued and urgently taken to hospital for treatment.
Local security forces have sealed off the mine and are investigating the cause of the leak.
However, state officials have yet to inspect the site. Reports say rescue efforts were delayed due to safety concerns, as the area has seen armed criminal activity, locally called "bandits," in recent years.
The Plateau State government issued a statement saying initial investigations found 33 mine workers died from a mine explosion, but workers at the scene disputed this version of events.
Safiyanu Haruna, one of the miners who discovered the bodies, confirmed, “It was carbon monoxide gas that leaked and killed them... At that time, no one could help them because the morning shift workers had not yet arrived.”
Haruna also claimed the death toll was 37, though this has not been officially confirmed.
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Source:BBC