In brief
In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a frantic search is underway as rescuers struggle to save miners trapped underground following catastrophic landslides. Local reports indicate some miners have been rescued, while conflicting accounts raise concerns over the number of fatalities. The chaos in the gold-rich region is exacerbated by the lack of proper equipment and ongoing conflict.
Rescue operations in a gold-mining hub of the Democratic Republic of Congo have seen desperate measures taken as rescuers use bare hands to attempt to free trapped miners. The landslides occurred early Sunday morning in Lomera, a region overwhelmed by artisanal miners since gold was discovered at the end of last year. Local journalist Ashuza Barack reported that six miners were rescued alive, although one is seriously injured. Confusion persists regarding the death toll, with residents claiming 12 bodies have been found, while Barack stated no fatalities have been confirmed yet.The area, located in South Kivu province, has fallen under the control of M23 rebels, who recently captured significant territory in the mineral-abundant eastern DR Congo. In response to the landslides, M23 representatives visited the site and ordered mining activities to cease in specific sectors to ensure safety amidst the chaos wrought by the gold rush. Reports indicate that a sudden series of cascading landslides buried as many as 15 makeshift mineshafts, trapping numerous miners beneath the rubble.Survivors have voiced their exhaustion as rescue efforts continue, hampered by debris and a lack of adequate tools. Many miners remain unaccounted for, with one miner expressing frustrations as they work tirelessly without making significant progress. The region has long been plagued by conflicts over resource control, with this latest tragedy spotlighting the urgent need for improved safety regulations in the artisanal mining sector, which supplies crucial metals and minerals to the global electronics industry.While a ceasefire deal brokered by Qatar was signed recently between M23 and the government, the situation in eastern DR Congo remains precarious as both humanitarian and safety challenges escalate.
