JALINGO: Tragedy has struck Mayo Kam community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State after a mining pit reportedly collapsed on illegal miners, leaving more than 20 people, including women and children, feared dead.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon while the miners were said to be working inside the pit. The sudden collapse reportedly trapped several people underground, throwing the community into panic and mourning.
Although authorities had yet to officially confirm the number of casualties as of press time, residents said more than 20 people were believed to have been buried beneath the collapsed earth.
A resident, Kenneth Ayila, who confirmed the incident, said the miners were inside the pit when it suddenly caved in. 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, said the majority of those affected were residents of Mayo Kam.
According to him, while people from neighbouring communities occasionally come to the area for mining activities, most of the victims were indigenes of the community.
Those who were killed in the mining pit are mostly from Mayo Kam community. Only a few people usually come from neighbouring communities to engage in mining here,” Bello said.
We are in total shock over the incident, he added.
The Taraba State Police Command said it had not received an official report from its Area Command in Bali regarding the mining accident.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said the state headquarters was waiting for a formal report before providing further information.
We have not received the official report from the police area command in Bali. As soon as we get the details, I will give you the information, Mshelizah said.
The absence of an official casualty figure means the number of people killed or trapped remains uncertain.
The incident has again drawn attention to the dangers associated with unregulated and illegal mining activities in Taraba State.
Mining pits that are poorly excavated or lack adequate safety measures can become unstable, putting miners and nearby communities at serious risk of sudden collapses.
The tragedy also comes shortly after Taraba State hosted a roundtable summit focused on investment in the state’s mineral resources, where investors from different parts of the world reportedly expressed interest in the state’s mining sector.
As of press time, the exact number of casualties remained unclear. Details concerning possible rescue efforts, recovery operations and the circumstances that led to the collapse were also still emerging.
RapidoSpace News will continue to monitor developments as authorities and community members provide further information.
