Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo fear that around 200 people may have died after a massive landslide hit a mine in the country’s eastern region, an area currently under control of the M23 armed group. The tragedy struck in Rubaya, North Kivu province, a mineral-rich zone that has been a flashpoint since M23’s resurgence in 2021.
Local reports indicate that a hillside collapsed on Wednesday afternoon, followed by a second landslide on Thursday morning. With phone networks down and civil society groups having fled the area when M23 arrived, confirming casualties has been challenging. Updates are reaching authorities slowly, often via motorbike couriers navigating the region.
The Rubaya mine is a major global source of coltan, a mineral essential for electronics such as smartphones and laptops. Experts estimate that the M23 earns roughly $800,000 per month from the mine through a per-kilo tax on coltan production and sales. UN reports have long accused Rwanda of indirectly benefiting from the militia’s control over the mine, a claim Kigali denies.
The Congolese government has called on the international community to recognize the scale of the disaster, linking the tragedy to the ongoing armed occupation and systematic exploitation of the region’s resources. The wider eastern DRC is also rich in gold and tin, making it a key target for resource-driven conflicts.
The situation remains precarious, with humanitarian access limited and the full extent of the disaster still unfolding.
