Thirteen young men lost their lives and several others sustained injuries following the collapse of a mine in Nigeria’s Plateau State, local authorities reported.
The tragic incident occurred on 10 November in the Bassa district, where a group of workers was trapped when the mine structure gave way.
Joshua Reti, the chief of the Bassa region, disclosed that the victims were aged between 18 and 30.
The young men had been working in the mine in hopes of improving their economic circumstances.
Describing the event as a tragedy, Reti remarked, “These young men met an untimely death while striving to earn a livelihood in light of the challenging economic conditions facing the nation.”
The incident underscores the risks faced by those working in hazardous mining operations in Nigeria, where informal mining activities often lack the safety measures necessary to protect laborers.
This tragedy highlights broader concerns over safety regulations and the economic pressures driving many young Nigerians to dangerous work.
