Seven miners have died after a suspected toxic gas incident inside an underground gold mining tunnel in the northern Philippine province of Benguet, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the cause of the tragedy.

According to Philippine police and local disaster management officials, the victims were discovered inside a mining tunnel in Sitio Dontog, Barangay Ampucao, Itogon, where they had been engaged in small-scale gold mining. The incident is believed to have occurred on Wednesday, after the miners failed to emerge from the tunnel, prompting fellow workers to check on them.

Initial findings indicate that the miners may have been overcome by toxic gas that accumulated inside the tunnel due to poor ventilation. However, officials said the exact type and source of the gas have not yet been determined, and forensic examinations are continuing as part of the investigation.

Rescue teams later recovered all seven bodies from the tunnel and returned them to their respective communities. Authorities said the victims had been identified, while support was being provided to their families.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said the local government had not been informed that mining activities were taking place at the site, describing the operation as an illegal small-scale gold mine. Officials are now considering permanently closing the tunnel and reviewing additional safety measures to prevent similar incidents.

Small-scale mining remains an important source of income for many communities in Benguet, but inadequate ventilation, limited safety equipment and unregulated operations have contributed to a number of fatal accidents in the province over the years. Similar gas poisoning incidents have previously been reported in Benguet, highlighting longstanding safety concerns in informal mining operations.(ILKHA)