Tragedy struck in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State over the weekend as a mining pit collapse in Enyim Agalegu community claimed three lives and left four others seriously injured.
The fatal incident occurred at a mining site reportedly operating under the lease of First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt. The pit, where extraction activities have taken place for years, caved in on Saturday afternoon, triggering an emergency rescue effort by residents.
Oboke Chukwuma Collins, National Chairman of Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke Federated Union, disclosed that he received an emergency alert around 4 p.m. and quickly mobilized local volunteers. According to him, community members worked to remove debris from the collapsed mining pit, recovering three bodies and rescuing four injured victims who were rushed for medical attention.
He further revealed that the community had previously appealed to the company and the Ebonyi State Ministry of Solid Minerals for permission to access a section of the site for regulated local mining after operations had reportedly shifted from the main pit. Collins expressed concern that the latest accident increases the recent death toll at the location to five.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyia, described the Ebonyi mining pit collapse as unfortunate and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He linked recurring mining accidents in the state to illegal mining activities and unsafe practices driven by profit motives.
According to the commissioner, the state government was not aware that the particular pit had been abandoned. He emphasized that the ministry lacks the authority to grant local miners access to a site under an existing lease agreement. Onyia also noted that the company had earlier warned residents about the dangers associated with the unstable pit.
He urged communities to prioritize safety and human life over economic gain.
Ifeanyi Nwakpu, the lawmaker representing Ikwo North Constituency, confirmed that the bodies of the three deceased victims have been deposited in a mortuary. He added that the four injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
The incident has renewed concerns about mining safety regulations, illegal mining in Ebonyi State, and the need for stricter enforcement to prevent further fatalities in mining communities.
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