Over 30 miners die from Carbon Monoxide exposure in Plateau

No fewer than 37 miners have reportedly died after being exposed to carbon monoxide while working at an underground mining site in Zurak community, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the tragic incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday when miners were working deep inside the pit. Reports suggest the workers were exposed to dangerous fumes believed to be carbon monoxide, which can quickly cause suffocation in enclosed spaces.

The publication said the miners, who were mostly young men aged 20 to 35, were conducting routine mining operations when they inhaled the toxic gas that emerged from the mining tunnels.

Eyewitnesses told the publication that the miners collapsed inside the tunnels after exposure to the toxic gas.

Twenty-five other victims have been taken to a nearby health facility for medical treatment.

Police sources said the mining site has been fully secured to prevent further exposure and to allow investigators determine the circumstances that led to the gas leak.

Our correspondent was shown pictures of the miners covered in white, powdery substances.

According to a research published by United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), underground miners risk exposure to hazardous quantities of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide (co) generated from mine fires or explosions.

The Mayo Clinic stated that when too much carbon monoxide is in the air, it replaces oxygen in the red blood cells. This can lead to serious tissue damage or even death.

(TheCable)