Deadly landslides at the Rubaya mine in eastern Congo have buried miners beneath heavy layers of earth and suffocating debris.
Heavy rainfall triggered consecutive collapses on Wednesday and Thursday, sweeping unsuspecting workers into deep, treacherous pits within the mountainside.
The M23 rebel group currently governs this strategic site, having seized the lucrative territory during their expansive 2024 military offensive.
Rubaya remains a critical global hub for coltan, providing a significant portion of the minerals essential for modern electronic manufacturing.
Regional officials confirmed the recovery of several bodies, yet the final death toll remains tragically veiled by the remote location.
Survivors recounted a terrifying moment when the earth groaned and gave way, swallowing colleagues who sought fortune in the mud.
International experts claim the militia generates substantial monthly revenue by taxing the illicit trade of these precious, blood-stained minerals.
Desperate laborers were seen on Friday continuing their search for ore, ignoring the imminent peril of further structural ground failures.
This disaster highlights the grim intersection of human suffering and the global demand for resources in a conflict-torn landscape.
