More than 100 people have been killed following a landslide at a coltan mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local media reports on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Rubaya mining area of North Kivu, after heavy rainfall triggered the collapse. Most of the victims were artisanal miners working at the site, while others included food vendors and small-scale traders who operate around the mining area.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, but teams are facing severe challenges due to difficult terrain and the use of rudimentary tools to search for those still missing beneath the debris. Witnesses reported that a mine shaft began collapsing gradually before suddenly burying many people within seconds. Local media also highlighted that many miners work without protective equipment and that there are no engineers on site to assess ground stability or warn workers of potential risks.
The tragedy follows another disaster at the same mining site in January which reportedly killed more than 400 people. The mineral-rich area—known for coltan, cassiterite, gold and tourmaline—has been under the control of the March 23 Movement rebel group since 2024. Despite a ceasefire proposed by Angola that took effect on 18 February, clashes have continued in North Kivu, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.