Massacre of children among the miners
111 dead in the illegal gold rush

Hundreds of lead poisonings due to abusive metal extractions. The Ministry of Health reports 163 deaths from March to today, most of whom are minors

ABUJA – 163 people, including 111 children, died in Nigeria from March to today due to illegal gold mines in Nigeria. This was announced by the local health ministry.

The massacre took place in an area in the north of the country, in the State of Zamfara. “We have a total of 355 cases of poisoning,” explained Dr. Henry Akpan, head of the ministry epidemiologists. The poisoning was caused by villagers who took home the broken and contaminated rocks with which the children then played. The poisoning took place by inhaling the toxic gases and bringing the dirty hands to the mouth. “In the area,” said Akpan, “there is a strong concentration of toxic lead.”

The Nigerian authorities have alerted international organizations, including the WHO and Doctors without Borders, to stem the emergency and contain the number of victims as much as possible. “We are working to provide healthcare advice and pass on warnings about the dangers of illegal mines,” said Akpan. The official has also announced that it is being prosecuted for “environmental remediation” of the affected areas.

(04 June 2010)