More than 30 miners have been confirmed buried alive following a catastrophic mining pit collapse on the border of Adamawa and Taraba states, according to a Toungo Local Government official. The incident, which took place on October 6, 2024, occurred at an illegal mining site spanning the Gashaka Local Government Area in Taraba State and the Toungo Local Government Area in Adamawa State. Initial reports estimated the death toll to be around 22, but new information reveals a greater tragedy, with all victims presumed lost beneath the rubble.

Umar Adamu, Information Officer for Toungo Local Government, provided an update on the situation, explaining that the miners’ bodies were entirely covered by the deep pit, preventing any retrieval efforts. “None of the dead was retrieved. They were all buried alive inside the deep pit,” Adamu reported during a phone interview, clarifying that the actual death toll surpassed 30.

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Most of the miners involved in the tragedy were reportedly from Zamfara and Sokoto states. Local customs were observed as community members, believing the miners to be predominantly Muslim, gathered at the site of the collapse for prayers. Since no bodies could be recovered, the prayers served as the only available farewell for the deceased.

Toungo, a rural community located approximately 188 kilometers south of Yola, the Adamawa State capital, is now grappling with the aftermath of this devastating accident. Local authorities and community members have expressed sorrow over the lives lost and continue to hope for strengthened safety measures to prevent further tragedies in the region.