As of February 19, 2026, Nigerian police have confirmed that a toxic gas leak at a mining site in Plateau State has resulted in the deaths of at least 37 miners. This figure reflects a slight revision from earlier reports that indicated 38 fatalities. The incident, attributed to a suspected carbon monoxide leak, occurred in poorly ventilated tunnels where the gas accumulated, leading to the collapse of workers. Witnesses have reported that many of the deceased were young men aged between 20 and 35, underscoring the demographic impact of this tragedy. Emergency response teams are currently on-site, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the explosion and assess compliance with safety protocols. As reported by ABC International, "Nigerian police say toxic gas leak at mine has killed 37 people."