Scores of people, including women and children, are feared dead following the collapse of a mining pit at Mayo-Kam community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday while illegal miners were working at the site, throwing the community into mourning.
A resident of Mayo-Kam, Kenneth Ayila, who confirmed the incident, said more than 20 people were feared trapped or killed when the mining pit suddenly collapsed.
“A mining pit has collapsed on miners at Mayo Kam village in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State this afternoon. Over 20 people are feared dead,” Ayila said.
A community leader, Mallam Usman Bello, also confirmed the incident, saying most of the victims were indigenes of Mayo-Kam.
Bello said only a few miners usually came from neighbouring communities to work at the site, adding that the tragedy had plunged residents into shock and grief.
“We are in total shock over the incident,” he said.
However, the Taraba State Police Command said the exact number of casualties was yet to be established.
The command’s spokesperson, Victor Msherizar, said five bodies had so far been recovered from the collapsed pit, while rescue efforts were ongoing to locate and evacuate other people who may still be trapped.
He said the police could not immediately confirm the total number of victims and would provide further details as information became available.
The incident has renewed concerns over unregulated mining activities in parts of Taraba State, particularly amid reports of an existing ban on illegal mining operations.
At the time of filing this report, no official statement had been made public by the state government.