Tragedy struck in Dura community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, when a sandpit collapsed on Thursday night, killing four miners.
Eyewitnesses said the victims were working inside the pit when the ground suddenly caved in, burying them alive.
Confirming the incident, Solomon Dung, Special Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Artisanal Mining, said three of the miners died on the spot while the fourth, who was rushed to hospital, later succumbed to his injuries.
“It happened yesterday at Dura community.
“From what I was told, some boys were working in a mining pit, suddenly the ground just collapsed on four of them.
“Three died instantly, and one other person was taken to the hospital, and unfortunately, he also later died,” Dung explained, adding that he was heading to the community for an on-the-spot assessment.
A resident, Chuwang Davou, also confirmed the collapse, describing it as a “tragic situation” that has thrown the community into mourning.
