Metro53 - Congo – The Central African nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been struck by a major human tragedy, as reports indicate that over 200 people have died following the collapse of a coltan mine in the eastern region. The incident occurred on Wednesday, but the final death toll has not yet been determined, raising fears that the number of casualties could rise fu
According to international media reports, the accident took place in the Rubaya area of eastern Congo, a province reportedly under the influence of a rebel group. At the time of the collapse, a large number of miners were extracting coltan when a sudden landslide caused the mine to cave in, trapping dozens under debris.
Reports indicate that the deceased include women and children who were either working in or around the mine. At least 20 people were seriously injured and transferred to nearby medical facilities; however, limited resources have made it difficult to provide timely and comprehensive treatment.
Local authorities stated that recent heavy rains had softened the ground, weakening the mine’s structure and leading to the sudden collapse. They also noted that safety measures during mining were nearly nonexistent, which exacerbated the loss of life.
Rescue operations are ongoing with the help of local residents, volunteers, and limited government resources. However, challenging terrain, poor road access, and security concerns are severely hampering relief efforts. Many people are still feared trapped under the rubble.
Rubaya is globally significant for coltan production, contributing about 15% of the world’s supply. Coltan is a key mineral used to produce tantalum, essential for mobile phones, computers, electronics, the aerospace industry, and turbines.
Experts and human rights organizations have warned that unsafe and illegal mining in Congo is leading to recurring accidents. They have urged the government and international agencies to ensure miner safety, improve oversight, and enforce strict safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
