Gas blast at Nigeria mine kills 38, injures dozens

A gas explosion on Wednesday killed at least 38 lead miners who were down the pits at a mine in central Nigeria's Plateau state, local sources told AFP.

Twenty-seven others were injured in the blast at the Kampanin Zurak mining site in Plateau state's Bashar district, the acting traditional ruler told AFP.

"It is true that so far 38 people are confirmed dead and about 27 others have been rushed to hospital," Alhaji Aliyu Adamu Idris said.

Ibrahim Dattijo Sani, a miner at a nearby pit, told AFP that the victims were in the mines below ground where the explosion happened between 7:30 and 8:00 am (0630 and 0700 GMT).

"We are close to the sites, people were inside the mining pits and suddenly a gas exploded," Sani told AFP by telephone.

The state is a historical mining region, with its capital Jos known as the Tin City. But mining activities have slowed in recent years.

The West African country has seen similar fatal mine accidents in the past.

At least 18 people were killed in Zamfara state in the northwest after a boulder crashed onto an illegal mine during heavy rains in September.