Urgent Rescue Efforts Underway for Trapped Miners in DR Congo

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, efforts are ongoing to rescue miners trapped underground following landslides that buried makeshift mining shafts. Despite the dangers and a lack of equipment, local communities have come together to assist in the rescue, pulling six miners to safety.

Rescue teams in the Democratic Republic of Congo's gold-mining region are relying on their bare hands and rudimentary tools to locate miners trapped after a series of landslides. Six miners have been successfully rescued so far, including one who suffered significant injuries, local journalist Ashuza Barack reported to the BBC. Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the casualties, with claims from one local that 12 bodies have been recovered, while Barack stated that no bodies have been found yet.

The mining area in South Kivu province has been under the control of M23 rebels, who took over parts of the mineral-rich eastern DR Congo earlier this year. The M23 refuted claims suggesting that hundreds of miners were stuck underground. Lomera has recently seen an influx of artisanal miners following the discovery of gold in the area, transforming the landscape into a chaotic mix of mineshafts and makeshift housing, as noted by the medical charity MSF, which also highlighted a cholera outbreak in the region last month.

The landslides unfolded without warning, burying several makeshift mining shafts. Rescue efforts have been impeded due to debris and sizable rocks blocking access to the collapsed sites. Journalist Barack relayed that rescuers have faced significant challenges because of a lack of adequate equipment to facilitate the digging. Survivors indicate that many miners are still trapped. "We've been digging since Sunday night but have not recovered any bodies. We are exhausted," expressed one of the miners involved in the operations.

M23 officials have visited the scene and have ordered a halt to mining activities in select areas. Many unregulated sites across this part of DR Congo supply essential metals and minerals to the global electronics industry, amid ongoing conflicts between various rebel groups and governmental forces vying for control. Earlier this year, the M23 gained substantial territory, capturing the key city of Goma and recently signing a ceasefire agreement with the government during negotiations facilitated by Qatar.