Kinshasa / Rubaya (Horn post) More than 200 people have died after a catastrophic landslide triggered the collapse of several mining shafts at a coltan mining site in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), authorities and local officials said.
The disaster struck the Rubaya coltan mine in North Kivu province on Wednesday, where heavy rains caused unstable ground to give way, burying workers and nearby residents under mud and debris. The site is a major source of coltan — a mineral used in the production of tantalum for electronics such as mobile phones, computers, and aerospace components.
A spokesperson for the governor of North Kivu, appointed by the rebel group M23, said the death toll has surpassed 200 and is expected to rise as rescue teams work to recover bodies still trapped in the mud. Among the victims were miners, children, and market traders, according to local reports. Around 20 injured survivors are being treated in health facilities, with some expected to be transferred to the nearby city of Goma for further care.
An adviser to the provincial governor suggested that at least 227 bodies have been recovered but stressed that the precise toll remains unclear amid ongoing recovery efforts.
The mine, which produces an estimated 15% of the world’s coltan supply, has been under the control of the armed group M23 since 2024. The unstable conditions and unregulated, artisanal mining practices in the area have long raised safety concerns.
International responses have begun to emerge Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry extended condolences to the people of the DRC and wished for the swift recovery of the injured.
Humanitarian workers and regional officials are calling for increased safety measures and improved oversight of mining operations to prevent future tragedies in one of Africa’s most mineral-rich but conflict-affected regions.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff reporter
Nairobi, Kenya
