DAKAR, Senegal (AP) - An international aid agency says 400 children have died from lead poisoning in northwestern Nigeria and contamination has spread to two more villages.

The U.K.-based office of Doctors Without Borders says residents in Zamfara state are receiving treatment after small-scale gold mining operations poisoned the area beginning in March.

The mining operations involve crushing and drying ore to extract bits of precious metal. The most recent batches of ore also contained lead. The mining process spread lead particles throughout the villages, contaminating living quarters, communal areas and water supplies.

Lead poisoning leads to vomiting, muscle weakness, and sometimes death.

john david:

this is real tereble!

Cyberfreak:

That was uncalled for.

sley4life:


that state shud not have existed in the country

sley4life:

that state shud not have existed in the country

etinbaba:

there are we going to , yesterday BOMB, TODAY POISOING, TOMORROW WILL BE WHAT? 9JAAAAA

mouthpiece:

yeah, the bombing fear the rich, but poor people dying, its an every minute news, they cant keep up saying it, it will get boring,

jacob05:

Tooo Sad 400 Abokis Just Die Like That where Government Dey Self. May there souls rest in peace