At Least 48 Dead in Nigeria after Consuming Drink Suspected to Contain Methanol, Authorities Say
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — At least 48 people have died and around 100 others are receiving treatment in southern Nigeria after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic concoction suspected to contain methanol, officials said on Thursday.
Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners passed away in custody in Niger state, Nigeria, according to reports from the civil defence corps. The governor of Niger state, Mohammed Umaru Bago, expressed his grief at a news conference, announcing a committee of inquiry into the tragic incident. The civil defence initially suspected disease as the cause of death, but an intelligence report suggests overcrowding and poor ventilation were the primary factors.
The central Nigerian state is known for its rich mineral deposits, attracting thousands of artisanal miners seeking to strike gold. The incident has sparked protests and mourning, with the governor declaring three days of mourning and postponing electoral campaigning.
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