At least five people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of an illegal mining pit in Mayo Kam community, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday afternoon, September 17, 2026, while miners were working at the site.
The Taraba State Police Command confirmed that five people had so far been recovered dead from the collapsed pit, while rescue teams continued efforts to determine whether additional victims remained trapped underground.
Police spokesperson Victor Mshelizah said security personnel had been deployed to the location since the incident occurred and that efforts were ongoing to establish the full extent of the disaster.
Reports indicate that as many as 20 people could have been inside the mining area when the pit collapsed, although the exact number of people trapped has not been officially established.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the dangers associated with unregulated mining activities, particularly where miners operate without adequate safety measures or appropriate equipment.
The Taraba tragedy occurred amid another mining-related incident in Niger State, where 37 suspected illegal miners died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Authorities in Niger State have ordered investigations and forensic examinations to establish the cause of those deaths.
The two incidents have renewed attention on the safety and regulatory challenges surrounding illegal mining activities in parts of northern Nigeria.
In Taraba, rescue workers and security personnel are expected to continue searching the collapsed site for possible survivors or additional victims.
Authorities have yet to announce further details on the identities of the deceased or determine what specifically caused the mining pit to cave in.
The latest incident adds to concerns over the risks faced by miners operating at unregulated sites, where structural instability and inadequate safety precautions can increase the likelihood of accidents.
Further updates are expected as rescue operations continue and authorities establish the complete circumstances surrounding the collapse.
