Rescue Operations Underway After Major Mine Collapse in Eastern DR Congo Kills Over 200
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – January 31, 2026 –
Tragedy has struck the mineral-rich hills of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as rescue operations continue following a massive mine collapse that has claimed the lives of at least 227 people.
The disaster, which occurred at the Rubaya coltan mines in North Kivu province, has left the global community in shock, highlighting the perilous conditions of artisanal mining in a region currently embroiled in conflict.
Local authorities confirmed on Saturday that while some survivors have been pulled from the debris, the death toll is expected to rise as dozens remain missing beneath the mud and stone.
The Rubaya Disaster: A Perfect Storm of Heavy Rains and Fragile Ground
The catastrophe began on Wednesday, January 28, following several days of torrential rainfall that destabilized the steep, mineral-rich slopes of Rubaya.
The town, located approximately 60 kilometers northwest of Goma, is a global hub for the extraction of coltan—a critical mineral used in the production of smartphones and electric vehicles.
According to eyewitnesses and survivors, several major mine shafts gave way simultaneously, triggering a massive landslide that swallowed entire working groups within seconds.
Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, a spokesperson for the local administration in the rebel-held territory, stated that the victims included not only artisanal miners but also women and children who were at the site.
“We are in the height of the rainy season, and the ground here is incredibly fragile,” Muyisa told reporters.
“The victims were deep in the holes when the ground simply gave way above them. It was a landslide of mud and stone that left almost no chance for escape.”
Casualties and the Difficult Search for Survivors
As of the latest reports from the ground in Kinshasa and North Kivu, at least 227 bodies have been recovered, though official counts remain fluid due to the informal nature of the mining site.
The Victims:
Most of the deceased were artisanal miners digging manually for a few dollars a day. Tragically, market women selling food to the workers and children playing near the shafts were also caught in the collapse.
The Injured:
Approximately 20 survivors are currently receiving treatment in local health facilities in Rubaya. Many suffer from broken limbs, internal injuries, and respiratory distress from being buried.
The Missing:
Rescue teams, largely composed of fellow miners using hand tools and shovels, are struggling to reach lower shafts where dozens of individuals are still believed to be trapped.
The lack of heavy machinery in the remote, mountainous region has severely hampered the rescue efforts. Volunteers have been forced to dig through thick mud with their bare hands in a desperate race against time, though officials admit that the likelihood of finding more survivors is fading by the hour.
The Global Supply Chain and Rebel Control
The Rubaya mines are not only a site of human tragedy but also a flashpoint in the global tech supply chain. These mines produce approximately 15% of the world’s coltan supply.
However, the site has been under the control of the M23 rebel group (supported by the AFC) since early 2024. The United Nations has previously raised alarms that the profits from these mines are being used to fund the ongoing insurgency against the central government in Kinshasa.
This political backdrop complicates the humanitarian response. While the central government in Kinshasa has expressed its condolences, the fact that the area is outside of federal control means that national emergency services have limited access to the site.
The international community, including various NGOs, has called for a temporary humanitarian ceasefire to allow for the deployment of heavy rescue equipment and medical supplies to the grief-stricken community.
A Call for Stricter Safety and Mining Reforms
This latest disaster is a grim reminder of the “blood minerals” trade and the lack of safety standards in artisanal mining. In Rubaya, miners often work in unsupported tunnels reaching depths of over 50 meters without helmets, ventilation, or emergency exits.
“This tragedy is a painful wake-up call,” said a provincial mining official. “We cannot continue to allow our citizens to risk their lives in these ‘death traps’ just to satisfy global demand for electronics.
There must be a transition to formalized, safe, and regulated mining practices that prioritize human life over mineral output.”
As the families in Rubaya begin the agonizing process of burying their dead, the world is once again forced to look at the human cost of the devices in their pockets.
The rescue operations remain active, but for many in Eastern Congo, this is another chapter of sorrow in a region that has already endured far too much.
Castle Journal & CJ Global
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