A landslide last week collapsed several tunnels at a major coltan mine in eastern Congo, leaving at least 200 people dead in the rebel-controlled site.
The collapse occurred on Wednesday at the Rubaya mines, controlled by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, after heavy rains caused several hand-dug tunnels in the unregulated mine to cave in, according to the regional governor’s spokesperson.
The M23 rebels and the Congolese government traded accusations over responsibility as reports from the remote region began to emerge.
The collapse is one of the deadliest disasters in years in an area already facing a humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict.
In May 2024, M23 seized the town of Rubaya and took control of its mines.
Here’s what to know about the collapse:
Why did the accident happen?
On Wednesday, following heavy rains in eastern Congo, a network of hand-dug tunnels collapsed, killing at least 200 artisanal miners and trapping
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