Southeastposts can confirm the collapse of a mining pit in Enyim Agalegu community, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, leading to the death of three persons and leaving four others injured.
The victims were said to be involved in mining activities at the site on Saturday when the pit caved in.
Sources in the community said the injured victims were rushed for medical attention shortly after the incident.
The collapse occurred at a mining pit linked to a company where illegal mining was allegedly ongoing.
While confirming the incident on Sunday, the National Chairman of the Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke Federated Union, Oboke Chukwuma-Collins, said he received a distress call around 4 p.m. on Saturday.
According to him, the call alerted him that the pit had caved in on miners operating at the site, adding that community members were immediately mobilised to the scene for rescue efforts.
He revealed that residents had earlier written to the company managing the site and the state Ministry of Solid Minerals, requesting that the pit be handed over for controlled community mining after the company allegedly completed operations at the main pit.
The community leader said the request was rejected, forcing the community to abandon the agitation.
Chukwuma-Collins lamented that the latest incident has brought the death toll at the site to five persons in recent times.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development in Ebonyi State, Chidi Onyia, who visited the scene, described the incident as unfortunate and commiserated with the families of the deceased.
He attributed recurring accidents in mining communities to illegal mining activities driven by greed and the quest for quick money.
The Commissioner disclosed that the ministry had earlier received letters from community leaders requesting that the company release part of the site for local mining, but explained that the government lacked the authority to grant such approval since the land was under a private mining lease.
Onyia said government officials, including the lawmaker representing Ikwo North Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Ifeanyi Nwakpu, had visited the site several times to address concerns raised by the community.
He warned that those sponsoring illegal mining frequently avoid the risks, while young and unemployed miners bear the consequences.
Three People Confirmed Dead during Mining in Ebonyi
By Nwoko
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