Kinshasa (The COW News Digital) At least 32 miners were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after a copper mine collapsed in the southern province of Lualaba, authorities confirmed. The tragic incident occurred when a makeshift bridge inside the mine gave way, sending a number of workers into the flooded and unstable shafts.
Local officials said the collapse happened on Saturday amid heavy rainfall and the looming risk of landslides. Despite restricted access due to safety concerns, illegal miners reportedly forced their way into the mine, seeking work in extremely hazardous conditions.
“The temporary bridge inside the mine could not withstand the weight of so many miners passing at once,” said the Interior Minister of Lualaba province. “Rescue teams have recovered 32 bodies so far, and search operations for additional victims are ongoing.”
The mine, located in a region known for rich copper deposits, is part of a larger network of informal mining operations that employ tens of thousands of workers across the country. According to reports, nearly 200,000 people in Congo work in illegal mines, often exposing themselves to deadly accidents, toxic substances, and landslides.
Heavy rainfall and unstable terrain make such mines particularly dangerous, especially in remote areas where official safety oversight is minimal. Rescue efforts have been hampered by the difficult terrain and the ongoing risk of further collapses, with authorities warning that more fatalities could emerge.
International observers have repeatedly criticized the conditions in Congo’s artisanal and illegal mines, noting that poverty drives workers to take extreme risks to earn a livelihood. Despite repeated warnings, these mines remain a major source of copper and other minerals that feed global markets.
The Lualaba incident underscores the urgent need for regulatory enforcement, better safety measures, and support for vulnerable mining communities. Local authorities have called for stricter monitoring and temporary closure of high-risk sites to prevent further loss of life.
As rescue operations continue, the tragedy has reignited calls from human rights groups and labor organizations for improved working conditions and immediate humanitarian assistance for affected families.
