No less than six people have reportedly lost their lives after an illegal mining site collapsed in the Umai community, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.
It was gathered that the gold stone mine collapsed on Wednesday killing six persons, Vanguard reports.
Chairman of Biase Local Government Area, Ada Charles Egwu, in a visit to the scene of the incident expressed sadness on the death of those who died due to the unfortunate incident in a bid to make a living.
According to her, the level of illegal mining activities in the area was alarming as she urged security agents to increase surveillance on the area.
“The purpose of this visit is to assess the activities of the illegal miners and also see for myself the collapsed site that took the lives of six young men so early in the year,” she said.
Egwu noted that an investigative panel would be set up, while calling on security agencies to seal off the site and arrest anyone who flouts the order to stay away from the mine.