A toxic gas leak at a mine in Nigeria has killed 37 people and left 26 injured in hospital.
Poisonous lead, sulphur and carbon monoxide was suddenly discharged into the shaft, killing nearly 40 miners working underground.
They were said to have not realised they were breathing in deadly fumes until they started to become unwell, according to the Nigerian government.
The victims were taken ill in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Kampani Zurak, a police spokesman said.
Alfred Alabo said: “A preliminary investigation revealed that the miners faced a sudden discharge of lead oxide and other associated gases like sulphur and carbon monoxide.
“These gases are toxic and poisonous to humans, particularly in a confined or poorly ventilated environment.”
He added that the bodies of the deceased had been released to their families for burial in accordance with their religious practices.
The Nigerian government has closed the mining site and an investigation into the leak is continuing.
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The miners were unaware of the toxic nature of the emissions and continued their operations, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake said.
It’s not clear what was being mined at the site and whether the mine was operating legally.
Nigeria is trying to rein in illegal gold mining operations across the country that have killed hundreds of people over the years.
