More than 200 people are feared dead after several artisanal mines collapsed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in one of the deadliest mining disasters reported in the region in recent years.
Local authorities and community leaders say the collapse occurred after heavy activity at informal mining sites, where hundreds of miners were working underground. Rescue efforts have been severely hampered by unstable terrain, limited equipment, and the remote location of the mines.
Many of those killed were believed to be artisanal miners, working without protective gear or formal safety measures. Officials say dozens of others may still be trapped, raising fears that the death toll could rise further.
The DRC is one of the world’s richest countries in mineral resources, including gold, cobalt, and coltan, but mining accidents are common, particularly in unregulated and informal sites. Poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods often push workers into dangerous conditions.
Government officials say an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse and to assess whether safety regulations were violated. Calls are also growing for stronger oversight of artisanal mining operations and better protection for workers.
Human rights groups have long warned that unsafe mining practices in the DRC continue to claim lives, despite repeated promises of reform.
As recovery efforts continue, families and communities are mourning what has become another tragic reminder of the human cost of unsafe mining in the country.
