Seven people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of an artisanal mining pit in Kassa community, Plateau State. The incident occurred when the dugout caved in while miners were working underground. Local residents said rescue efforts were hampered by the unstable structure and lack of proper equipment at the site.Emergency responders and community members recovered the bodies hours after the collapse.
Authorities have not released the identities of the victims, but sources say most of them were young men from the area who engaged in small-scale mining to support their families.
The tragedy has sparked fresh demands for government intervention in the mining sector. Community leaders and civil groups are urging stricter regulation of artisanal mining, better enforcement of safety standards, and training for operators working in informal pits across the state.
Officials say investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse. They also called for miners to avoid unsafe sites and for government agencies to step up inspections to prevent a repeat of such incidents in Plateau and other mining communities.
