Thirteen people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a mining site in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The tragic incident occurred at a site located at the boundaries between Bassa, Jos South, and Jos North Local Government Areas.
Dr. Joshua Riti, Chairman of Bassa LGA, confirmed the deaths on Tuesday while speaking to journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Expressing his concern over the rising death toll, Riti disclosed that seven of the victims were from his local government.
“This is an unfortunate incident; these young people were only out in search of a means of livelihood,” Riti said. “They went out to put their energies to good use to sustain and meet up with the current economic hardship in the country but met their untimely death. I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.”
Local sources revealed that most of the deceased were youths between the ages of 18 and 30. They were reportedly unlicensed miners who, like many others in the region, resort to mining for survival due to economic challenges.
The victims were part of a growing number of young people who engage in informal mining activities in Plateau State, often without the necessary safety measures, increasing the risk of such disasters.
As investigations continue, the local government is expected to address the safety concerns surrounding unregulated mining in the region, which has become a dangerous means of survival for many young people in the area.
