Maiduguri: At least 100 people are feared dead following the collapse of a gold mining pit in Zamfara State, Nigeria. The incident occurred on Thursday at the Kadauri mining site in the Maru local government area, where artisanal miners were working underground.

Rescue operations continued into Friday as teams attempted to recover those trapped beneath the rubble. Local resident Sanusi Auwal, involved in the rescue efforts, confirmed that at least 13 bodies had been retrieved, including that of his cousin. He added that over 100 miners were present during the collapse.

Survivor Isa Sani reported that only 15 individuals out of more than 100 were rescued alive. Muhammadu Isa of the Zamfara State miners association confirmed the tragedy and noted that some rescuers also suffocated while trying to reach the victims.

Illegal mining is prevalent in Zamfara, where armed gangs often control gold fields, contributing to both violence and deadly accidents. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the collapse and are urging for increased safety measures in mining operations.