More than 200 people have been killed in a mine collapse in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, rebel authorities have reported. The incident occurred in the Rubaya mine due to heavy rains, as stated by Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesman for the North Kivu region's rebel governor.
At the time of the tragedy, women and children were among those mining coltan—a mineral vital for electronics such as smartphones and computers. A former supervisor indicated the site was poorly maintained, increasing the likelihood of accidents and complicating rescue efforts.
The fragile nature of the soil compounded the disaster, with casualties primarily consisting of artisanal miners: those not officially employed by any mining firm. Approximately 20 survivors are currently hospitalized.
A local source, mourning the loss of a cousin in the collapse, expressed the profound grief felt within the community, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the tragedy.
Governor Erasto Bahati Musanga visited survivors on Friday. The M23 rebels, who control Rubaya and several other towns in North Kivu, are reported to be backed by Rwanda, according to international observers.
The Rubaya mines are crucial, holding around 15% of the world’s coltan supply and half of the country's total deposits, emphasizing the dangerous intersection of resource extraction and conflict in the region.
Conditions at the mine have long been described as hazardous, and since the M23 secured control in 2024, there have been reports of the group imposing taxes on the mining sector. The Congolese government has not yet commented on the incident as the investigation is ongoing.
