At least thirty-seven miners died as a result of what officials claim was carbon monoxide poisoning at an unofficial mine in northwest Nigeria.
The workers were digging at an unlicensed gold mine when a lack of adequate ventilation in a shaft trapped the poison fumes.
Some of the miners were found suffocated underground, while others complained of difficulty breathing and were treated by officials and local residents.
Illegal mining operations in areas with poverty and lax oversight are common in Nigeria. Many of these sites are not equipped with the proper safety equipment, ventilation, or environmental considerations to make them safe.
Authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the poisoning and will work to determine if anyone will be held accountable for operating the illegal site.
The police secured the area to keep people out and continue their work while the deceased individuals were not yet identified.