18.2.2026
Thirty-seven people have been confirmed dead due to carbon monoxide poisoning after a gas leak at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. Another 25 people have been hospitalised.
According to reports the gas leak occurred at underground illegal mining site Wednesday at about 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday.
Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Rangnap, confirmed the incident stating that the death toll may increase as ongoing rescue and investigation operations continue.
A Wase Youth Leader, Shafi Sambo, told reporters that the youths were mining zinc on behalf of a company believed to be Chinese-owned and operating in the area.
“It happened at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government. We got information that the miners dug deep into the ground and were exposed to a gas that killed 37 of them instantly,” Sambo said.
Following the incident, troops of the Nigerian Army were deployed to the site. According to Mr Sambo, soldiers cordoned off the area to prevent further access and possible exposure.
“The army has since gone there and sealed off the place to stop people from gaining access and to control the situation,” he said.
Authorities say emergency response teams have been deployed to the site, while further official details are expected as the government continues its assessment of the situation.