At least 9 killed, 12 injured in mine collapse at Rubaya mining site

At least nine people were killed and 12 others injured in a mine collapse in the Rubaya mining area of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), local media reported on Saturday, following a series of recent deadly accidents in the region.



The accident occurred on Friday at the Gasasa mining site in Rubaya, where two shafts suddenly collapsed as artisanal miners were descending into underground galleries to extract minerals, according to the local media.



Some of the injured are in critical condition, local sources were quoted as saying.



Rescue operations have been hampered by unstable ground conditions and a lack of appropriate equipment, a common challenge at artisanal mining sites where safety standards are often minimal.



The Rubaya mining zone has been under the control of the March 23 Movement rebel group since 2024.



The area was reclassified by the DRC government since November as a "red zone," formally prohibiting mining and mineral trading.