About 100 feared dead in Nigeria gold mine collapse

At least 100 people are feared dead following the collapse of a gold mining pit in Nigeria’s Zamfara State, survivors and residents said on Friday. The pit at the Kadauri mining site in the Maru local government area caved in on Thursday while scores of artisanal miners were working underground, witnesses told Reuters. Rescue operations continued into Friday.

A local resident involved in rescue efforts, said at least 13 bodies had been retrieved from the rubble, including that of his cousin. Over 100 miners were involved during the collapse. Out of more than 100 people, only 15 were rescued. Muhammadu Isa of the Zamfara State miners association confirmed the incident, adding that some rescuers also suffocated while trying to dig out victims.

Illegal mining is common in Zamfara, where armed gangs often control gold fields, fuelling violence and deadly accidents.