A tragic incident occurred at a lead and zinc mine in central Nigeria, where at least 37 miners were killed due to a suspected carbon-monoxide leak. The disaster took place on a Wednesday morning near Wase in Plateau State, where toxic gas accumulated in underground tunnels, leading to the collapse of workers towards the end of their night shift. As the rescue efforts were hampered by the timing of the incident, those on the morning shift had not yet arrived at the site when the tragedy occurred.

Eyewitness accounts have provided varied estimates of the death toll, with some local officials and residents claiming around 30 fatalities, while police sources reported at least 37 dead. The Plateau State government has indicated that preliminary investigations suggest about 33 individuals were present in the mining tunnel at the time of the incident. This event is noted to be one of the deadliest mining disasters in Nigeria's recent history, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the mining sector, particularly regarding the management of toxic gases.

The implications of this disaster are significant as it draws attention to the urgent need for stricter safety regulations and better emergency response strategies in the Nigerian mining industry. As authorities investigate, there may be calls for reforms to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The incident also underscores the risks that workers face in hazardous industries and raises questions about accountability and safety practices in mines across Nigeria and West Africa.