A mining disaster in Zamfara State has left dozens feared dead after a pit caved in at the Kadauri mining site, located in the Maru Local Government Area.
The collapse occurred on Thursday as artisanal miners were working underground, trapping many beneath the debris. Local sources reported that at least 13 bodies had been pulled from the rubble by late Thursday, though several more are believed to still be buried.
Eyewitnesses and community members described the scene as chaotic, with emergency response efforts hampered by limited equipment and the depth of the collapsed shaft.
Although full details are still emerging, the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Solid Minerals Development Agency, Nasiru Bamanga, confirmed that he had received preliminary reports of the incident.
“I heard about the incident, and I’m yet to get full details. I will be going there later today and, Insha Allah, I will give you full information when I return,” Bamanga said.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns over the safety of artisanal mining operations in the region, which are largely unregulated and prone to structural failures.