At least 200 people have been killed after heavy rainfall triggered deadly landslides at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities and eyewitnesses said.
The incident occurred earlier this week in North Kivu province, where the mine has been under the control of the M23 rebel group since 2024. Torrential rains reportedly caused large sections of earth to collapse, sweeping miners and nearby residents into mining pits and wells.
A miner, Franck Bolingo, said many victims were buried alive while others drowned after being trapped underground.
“It rained heavily, a landslide followed, and people were swept away. Some were swallowed by the earth, others died in the wells, and many are still trapped,” he said.
A spokesperson for the rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu confirmed that the victims include miners, children and market women. At least 20 injured persons are currently receiving treatment, with some expected to be transferred to Goma, approximately 50 kilometres from the site.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and officials have warned that the death toll may rise. Authorities have also ordered the temporary suspension of artisanal mining activities at Rubaya and the relocation of residents living close to the mine.
Rubaya is one of the world’s largest coltan-producing sites, supplying an estimated 15 percent of global output. The mineral is widely used in the manufacture of smartphones, computers and aircraft engines.
The United Nations has previously accused the M23 rebel group of exploiting the mine’s resources to finance its insurgency. The disaster comes amid persistent insecurity in eastern DR Congo, where fighting continues despite regional and international mediation efforts.
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