At least 100 feared dead after gold mining pit collapse in Nigeria

At least 100 people are feared dead following the collapse of a gold mining pit at the Kadauri mining site in Zamfara State, local survivors and residents said on September 26.

The pit, located in the Maru local government area, caved in on Septemebr 25 while numerous artisanal miners were working underground, witnesses told Reuters. Rescue efforts continued into September 26 as teams searched for survivors amid the rubble.

Sanusi Auwal, a local resident involved in the rescue operation, said at least 13 bodies had been recovered, including that of his cousin.

"Over 100 miners were involved during the collapse," Auwal told Reuters by phone.

One of the survivors, Isa Sani, who is receiving treatment for injuries, said, "We are lucky to be rescued alive. Out of more than 100 people, only 15 of us were rescued."

Muhammadu Isa of the Zamfara State miners association confirmed the incident and added that some rescuers had suffocated while trying to dig out victims.

Zamfara police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Illegal mining is widespread in Zamfara, where armed gangs often control gold fields, contributing to violence and frequent deadly accidents.

By Sabina Mammadli