Six persons have lost their lives after a mining pit collapsed at Zawan community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The member representing Jos South Constituency at the Plateau State House of Assembly, Gwottson Fom, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.

He said the ages of the victims ranged from 20 to 27 and described the incident as “sad and unfortunate.”

The lawmaker noted that the victims died engaging in illegal activity.

“We know that these youths died carrying out an illegal activity, but it is obvious that unemployment led them to it.

“People go out of their way to do things considered illegal just to fend for themselves and their families.

“This is not a time to apportion blames, but it is sad and unfortunate that a community will lose six youths in a day,” he said.