A Dozen bodies recovered in eastern DR Congo landslide

A landslide triggered by recent heavy rains at a coltan mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed 10 people and left dozens missing, local media reported on Saturday.

The landslide took place at around 4 am local time at the Rubaya mining area in North Kivu’s Masisi territory, according to Radio Okapi.

A dozen bodies were retrieved by midday, including six children, the report said, citing eyewitnesses.

Several houses located in the vicinity were completely covered by the landslide. A dozen injured people were transported to local medical facilities,” the report said.

The landslide reportedly originated near the shafts of the Gakombe mining site and swept away the area below, where many artisanal miners work.

Residents and other miners were trying with makeshift means to find possible survivors and recover the bodies still buried under the rubble.

The latest landslide came three days after another disaster hit the same site this week, killing over 200 people according to the government.

Earlier in January, another disaster left over 400 people dead, according to local media.

The mining area, rich in minerals including coltan, cassiterite, gold and tourmaline, has been under the control of M23 rebels since 2024.

Source: AA