Over 200 die in DR Congo after landslide causes mines to collapse: rebel authorities
The nation is a major supplier of coltan - dug out by hand - which contains a key component for smartphones, computers and aircraft engines
A landslide earlier this week collapsed several mines at a major coltan mining site in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), leaving at least 200 people dead, rebel authorities said on Saturday.
The collapse took place on Wednesday at the Rubaya mines, which are controlled by the M23 rebels, said Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesman for the rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu province.
He said the landslide was caused by heavy rains.
“For now, there are more than 200 dead, some of whom are still in the mud and have not yet been recovered.”
Muyisa added that several people were injured and taken to three health facilities in the town of Rubaya, while ambulances were expected to transfer the wounded on Saturday to Goma, the nearest city, around 50km (30 miles) away.
The rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu has temporarily halted artisanal mining on the site and ordered the relocation of residents who had built shelters near the mine, Muyisa said.