Business · Philippines Bureau
Seven miners dead in suspected gas exposure incident in Benguet
Seven workers were discovered dead in a mining tunnel in Itogon, Benguet on Wednesday night after becoming trapped and exposed to suspected toxic gas. The incident marks another tragedy in the Philippines' informal mining sector.
LSN Philippines ·
Seven miners were found dead inside a tunnel in Sitio Dontog, Barangay Ampucao in Itogon, Benguet, following what authorities believe was an exposure to poisonous gas. The Itogon Municipal Police Station said the incident occurred at approximately 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to initial police reports, the workers became trapped within the mining tunnel and succumbed to what is suspected to be toxic gas exposure. The exact circumstances leading to the workers becoming trapped remain under investigation.
The discovery was made after witnesses reported the incident to authorities. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, though all seven individuals were pronounced dead at the location.
The incident adds to a lengthy history of mining-related accidents in the Cordillera region, where informal and small-scale mining operations have been linked to multiple worker fatalities. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased workers or provided details on the mining operation's regulatory status.