Tragedy Strikes in Zamfara: Mining Pit Collapse Claims Lives and Injures Miners

Three local miners died and 11 others were hurt when a mining pit collapsed in Dan Kamfani, Anka Local Government area of Zamfara State.

A witness working in the area reported that a terrible incident happened on Thursday at around 4 p.m. The actual number of people affected is unclear as the mining pit, which is 275 meters deep, has collapsed.

The individuals who lost their lives were all from the Yar Tsabaya district in Anka LGA. The eyewitness expressed the difficulty in determining the exact number of people affected due to the significant depth of the mining pit. “The mining collapsed a few minutes before 4 p.m. on Thursday. We don’t know the exact number of people inside the mining pit, but three dead bodies were recovered, and 11 others are seriously wounded,” the witness stated.

Highlighting the challenges in rescue efforts, he emphasized the depth of the mining pit as a complicating factor. The injured miners are currently receiving medical treatment at the Anka General Hospital.

Zamfara is a Nigerian state that is rich in solid minerals such as gold, iron ore, limestone, and granite. However, the state has been facing challenges caused by illegal mining activities, which have contributed to banditry and other criminal activities. To address these issues, the governor of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal, took a decisive step on September 23 by imposing a ban on illegal mining activities. He directed law enforcement officials to take stringent action against violators of the ban.