7 dead after 'gas poisoning' in Benguet mining tunnel

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Seven people were reported dead following a suspected gas poisoning incident inside a mining tunnel in Itogon, Benguet, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said Friday.

MDRRMO head Engr. Cyril Batcagan said the seven victims were reportedly miners who died after toxic gas accumulated inside the tunnel.

“Ito po yung nabalita na mga pitong tao na namatay sa gas poisoning sa loob ng tunnel,” Batcagan told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

(This is what was reported about seven people who died from gas poisoning inside the tunnel.)

While the exact cause of the incident remained unclear, he said the gas may have accumulated inside the tunnel due to poor ventilation.

The incident was discovered after the seven miners failed to return, prompting other workers to enter the tunnel and check on them.

According to the MDRRMO, the victims were reportedly engaged in gold mining.

Batcagan said the local government was unaware of the mining activity in the concerned tunnel. He described the operation as illegal small-scale mining.

The bodies of all seven victims had been retrieved, identified, and brought back to their respective communities.

Batcagan said the local government is expected to discuss measures concerning the tunnel including its possible closure. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA News