KIGALI, Rwanda
A landslide triggered by recent heavy rains at a coltan mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed 10 people and left dozens missing, local media reported Saturday.
The landslide took place at around 4 am local time on Saturday at Rubaya mining area in North Kivu’s Masisi territory, following heavy rains, according to Radio Okapi.
A dozen bodies were retrieved at midday, including six children, the report said, citing eyewitnesses.
“Several houses located in the vicinity were completely covered by the landslide. A dozen injured people were transported to local medical facilities.”
The landslide reportedly started from a point near the shafts of the Gakombe mining site, before sweeping away the areas below it, where many artisanal miners work.
Local media reported that residents and other miners were trying, with makeshift means, to find possible survivors and recover the bodies still buried under the rubble.
The latest landslide came three days after another disaster hit at the same site this week, killing over 200, according to the government.
Earlier in January, another disaster left over 400 people dead, according to local media.
The mining area, rich in minerals including coltan, cassiterite, gold and tourmaline, has been under the control of M23 rebels since 2024.
The government has yet to make any official announcement on the incident.
