At least 37 miners died from carbon-monoxide poisoning while underground at an informal mining site in Nigeria’s Plateau state, a police source and security situation report seen by Reuters said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at about 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday at a mining pit in Kampani, a community in Wase, the report said. Another 25 people have been hospitalised.

Preliminary findings indicated that the victims, aged 20 to 35, died after inhaling carbon monoxide gas while working underground.

Most mines in Nigeria operate illegally, with little regard for safety standards, and workers typically lack protective equipment.

REUTERS