A toxic gas leak at a mine in Nigeria has killed 37 people and left 26 injured in hospital.
According to the Nigerian government, they were said to have not realized they were inhaling deadly fumes until they began to fall ill.
"A preliminary investigation revealed that the miners were faced with a sudden release of lead oxide and other associated gases such as sulfur and carbon monoxide," a police spokesman said.
"These gases are toxic and poisonous to humans, especially in a closed or poorly ventilated environment," he added.
According to the spokesman, the bodies of the deceased had been handed over to their families for burial in accordance with their religious practices.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has closed the mine and an investigation into the leak is ongoing.
"The miners were unaware of the toxic nature of the emissions and continued their operations," said Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.
It is not clear what was being extracted at the site and whether the mine was operating legally. /Telegraph/
