By Erewunmi Peace

At least 100 people are feared dead following the collapse of a gold mining pit in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria.

The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday at the Kadauri mining site in the Maru Local Government Area, where artisanal miners were reportedly working deep inside the pits when the ground caved in.

Local residents and survivors said many miners remain trapped beneath the rubble. As of Wednesday morning, emergency officials confirmed that 13 bodies had been recovered, while rescue efforts are still ongoing.

The Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA) described the situation as devastating, adding that the agency is coordinating with local volunteers to support search and rescue operations.

Reuters, citing eyewitness accounts, reported that more than 100 miners could have been inside the pits when the collapse happened. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact death toll.

Mining accidents are common in Zamfara and other states where artisanal gold mining thrives, often without proper safety standards. Experts say frequent pit collapses highlight the urgent need for regulation and improved mining practices in the region.

Security agencies and state authorities have yet to release an official statement on the full casualty figures.