Three die, 4 injured in Ebonyi mining pit collapse

By Christian Ogbonna

Police have confirmed that three persons lost their lives to the collapse of a mining pit in Enyim Agalegu, a community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Saturday.

Four others were also injured in the incident occurred at a pit formerly operated First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt, SP Joshua Ukandu, Spokesman of the Ebonyi Police Command said in a statement

He confirmed in Abakaliki on Sunday that the in the incident which occurred on Saturday.

”Three people were killed on Saturday when a mining pit collapsed in Enyim Agalegu, a community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State,

He said the police received information on the incident and the DPO in the area also visited the scene.

But he said no official report has been received from the victim’s family,” he added.

Also confirming the development, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Mr Chidi Onyi, described the incident as unfortunate.

The commissioner attributed the recurring collapse in mining communities to illegal mining activities, occasioned by greed for money.

“The incident occurred at a pit reportedly covered by the mining lease of First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt,” he said.

(NAN)