DR Congo mine collapse: Over 200 people including children killed

A catastrophic mining disaster occurred at the Rubaya coltan mine in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo this week, resulting in more than 200 fatalities and marking one of the deadliest industrial accidents in the country’s history.

The site produces about 15% of the world’s coltan, which marks a primary source of tantalum used in electronics. Locals dig manually at Rubaya for a few dollars per day, and the area has been under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel group since 2024.

Following the disaster, it was confirmed that children and market women were among the victims, with approximately around 20 injured people receiving treatment in nearby health facilities. The primary cause of the collapse was the heavy rainfall, which destabilized the ground and caused it to give way while minors were working deep in the pits.

An advisor to the governor, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief the media, confirmed that the death toll has reached 227.

Furthermore, Eraston Bahati Musanga-the governor of North Kivu province appointed by the M23 rebel group-confirmed that several bodies have already been recovered.