Tragedy in Congo as mine collapse ‘kills at least 200 people’

• Congolese authorities reported that a mine collapse at a major coltan site in eastern Congo on Tuesday resulted in at least 200 fatalities.
• The M23 rebel group, which controls the Rubaya mines where the incident occurred, disputed the death toll, claiming only five people died due to "bombings".
• A miner present at the site corroborated the higher figure, stating he assisted in recovering over 200 bodies, while noting pit owners discourage revealing the exact number of deaths.
• The Rubaya mines are a significant source of coltan, a vital component for smartphones and computers, with Congo supplying approximately 40% of the world's coltan in 2023.
• M23 rebels seized Rubaya in May 2024 and reportedly generate at least $800,000 monthly from taxing coltan trade, amidst a long-standing conflict and humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo.

IN FULL

At least 200 dead in a Congo coltan mine collapse, authorities say, as rebels dispute toll