Congo 's deadly landslide leaves 200+ victims under rubble
Work in a mine (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
A major mine collapse occurred in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the worst mining disasters in decades, according to Associated Press.
The tragedy occurred in the Rubaya area, where a massive landslide completely destroyed a coltan mine. More than 200 people were buried under tons of mud and rocks, including dozens of children. Those caught at the epicenter had virtually no chance of survival.
The disaster was triggered by prolonged rains that eroded the slopes of Kasasa Mountain. A huge mass of earth suddenly collapsed, instantly burying not only deep mining tunnels but also nearby areas where people were present.
- Scale of casualties: More than 200 deaths have been confirmed so far.
- Child victims: Most disturbing is that around 70 children were identified among the dead — some were working in the mines, others were nearby with their parents.
- Eyewitness accounts: Survivors describe a sudden roar, after which the ground literally “split open and swallowed” traders, women, and miners.
Bloody cost of gadgets
The mine in Rubaya is not just a workplace — it is one of the world’s largest sources of coltan. From this ore, tantalum is extracted, a metal essential for modern smartphones, laptops, and aviation electronics.
- Global dependence: This site accounts for about 15% of global tantalum production.
- Harsh conditions: Most extraction is carried out through so-called artisanal mining — people dig tunnels by hand without proper safety equipment.
- Militant control: The area is controlled by the March 23 Movement, effectively cutting victims off from international humanitarian aid and state rescue services.
Death under the rubble — again
This is already the second major disaster at these mines in just the past few months. In late January 2026, a similar landslide killed more than 200 people. Human rights advocates warn that as long as the world demands cheaper electronics, entire families in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will continue to die.
Dozens of injured victims with severe trauma have been hospitalized in Goma, but the death toll is still rising, as hundreds remain missing beneath layers of earth.
Not long ago in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a passenger vessel capsized on Lake Mai-Ndombe, killing at least 19 people.
In addition, bodies of shipwreck victims were recently found on a beach in southern Italy. The boat, believed to have been carrying refugees from Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, crashed into rocks off the coast of Calabria.
