Rescue workers and locals search for survivors after deadly landslides buried hundreds of miners in South Kivu, DR Congo.
At least 10 bodies have been recovered after landslides struck a gold mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with local officials warning that up to 500 miners may have been buried.
The disaster occurred on Monday following days of heavy rain in the mountainous region of South Kivu province, where thousands of artisanal miners work in informal, unregulated pits.
Provincial authorities say rescue efforts are under way but are being hampered by unstable terrain and a lack of proper equipment.
“The situation is catastrophic. We fear the number of victims could rise significantly,” said a local government official.
The miners were reportedly working deep inside shafts when the landslides hit. Witnesses told the BBC that families of the missing have been gathering near the site, hoping for news.
Risks Faced in Landslides
The tragedy highlights the risks faced by miners in DR Congo, where gold, coltan and other minerals are extracted in largely informal operations with little regard for safety standards.
In June, a similar landslide killed at least 21 miners at the Bibatama site in North Kivu, while another incident in April at the Luhihi gold mine left 10 people dead.
Rights groups have repeatedly called on the Congolese government to enforce regulations and improve working conditions in artisanal mining, which employs hundreds of thousands of people but remains fraught with danger.
M23 rebels
The affected area has also been impacted by ongoing conflict between government forces and M23 rebels, which has displaced thousands of people.
Many of the miners caught in the landslide are believed to be internally displaced persons seeking income.
Officials warn that the death toll from this latest disaster could climb as rescue operations continue.
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