- DR Congo government fears more than 200 people died in deadly mine landslides.
- The disaster occurred at Rubaya mine in North Kivu, under M23 control.
- Rubaya is a key global source of coltan used in electronics.
- Rescue efforts are limited due to poor access and communication shutdowns.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has raised alarm over a major tragedy in the country’s east, where a landslide at a militia-held mine is feared to have killed at least 200 people.
The incident occurred at Rubaya mine in North Kivu, an area currently under the control of the M23 armed group. The government described the disaster as severe and said the situation on the ground remains difficult to assess.
According to available information, part of a hillside at the mine collapsed on Wednesday afternoon. A second landslide followed early Thursday, worsening the destruction.
Rubaya is located in a rugged area with steep slopes and deep ravines. During the rainy season, dirt roads in the region often become impassable, increasing the danger for miners working in unstable pits.
The M23-appointed governor of North Kivu, Eraston Bahati Musanga, said at least 200 people may have lost their lives. He confirmed that bodies had been pulled from the rubble but did not give an exact figure.
Independent verification of the death toll remains impossible. Phone networks in the area have been down for days, and government officials and civil groups left Rubaya after the militia took control.
Humanitarian sources say injured survivors are being treated at nearby health centres that lack enough equipment and supplies.
Information from the area is slow and unclear, with updates reaching authorities through motorbike messengers. This has made it hard to confirm the number of victims or the full scale of the damage.
Rubaya mine produces between 15 and 30 per cent of the world’s coltan, a mineral widely used in phones, laptops, and other electronic devices.
Thousands of small-scale miners work at the site every day, often using basic tools and without proper safety measures, exposing them to constant risk.
Eastern DR Congo has faced decades of conflict, fueled in part by competition over valuable minerals. The M23 group has controlled Rubaya since April 2024, with the support of Rwanda, according to UN experts.
The United Nations says the militia earns about $800,000 each month from the mine by charging taxes on coltan production. Rwanda has denied backing the group or benefiting from the trade.
Kinshasa has called on the international community to take the tragedy seriously, blaming it on armed control and organised mineral exploitation.
The government noted that mining activities in Rubaya were officially banned in February 2025. Despite this, large amounts of coltan are still extracted monthly and reportedly transported to Rwanda.
Belgium’s embassy in Kinshasa expressed sympathy with the victims, describing the landslides as tragic.
As rescue efforts continue under difficult conditions, fears remain that the final death toll could rise further.
