A major tragedy has struck Mayo-Kam community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State following the collapse of a mining pit on illegal miners, with scores of people, including women and children, feared dead.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday while the miners were working at the site, throwing the community into mourning and raising fears that several victims could still be trapped beneath the debris.
A resident of Mayo-Kam, Kenneth Ayila, who confirmed the incident, said more than 20 people were feared dead or trapped following the collapse.
“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.
The incident has left families and residents anxiously awaiting information about the fate of those who were at the mining site when the pit collapsed.
A community leader, Mallam Usman Bello, said most of the victims were believed to be indigenes of Mayo-Kam.
Bello explained that only a few miners usually come from neighbouring communities to engage in mining activities in the area, adding that the incident had plunged residents into grief.
“We are in total shock over the incident,” he said.
However, the Taraba State Police Command said the actual number of casualties had yet to be established.
The command’s spokesperson, Victor Msherizar, confirmed that five bodies had so far been recovered from the collapsed pit.
He said rescue operations were ongoing to locate and evacuate other people who might still be trapped beneath the collapsed earth.
Msherizar said the police could not immediately confirm the total number of casualties, adding that further details would be released as rescue and recovery operations progressed.
The difference between the community’s estimate of more than 20 people feared dead and the five bodies recovered by the police has left the actual casualty figure uncertain.
The incident has also renewed concerns over unregulated mining activities in Taraba State, particularly amid reports of an existing ban on illegal mining operations.
The collapse has raised fresh questions about safety standards at mining sites and the enforcement of regulations governing mining activities across the state.
Government Yet to Issue Statement
As rescue operations continued, attention was turning to the Taraba State Government and relevant authorities to provide an official account of the incident and clarify the circumstances surrounding the mining operation.
At the time of filing this report, the state government had not issued an official statement on the tragedy.
Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the collapse, establish the actual number of people at the site and determine whether existing mining regulations were violated.
Meanwhile, rescue workers and community members continue efforts to search the collapsed pit for possible survivors and recover additional victims.