500 miners feared trapped by landslides in eastern DRC
Local police estimate that up to 500 miners are trapped following a series of landslides caused by heavy rains in the province of South Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The bodies of 10 people have been recovered since the disaster struck on Sunday in a remote area of the province, a police spokesperson told German news agency dpa. Volunteers have been working to find possible survivors and recover the bodies of victims, local authorities said.
It is difficult to verify the exact number of victims, as many miners in the region work unofficially. The South Kivu region is known for its abundant mineral and rare earth resources.
The South Kivu region was recently hit by heavy rains, causing landslides in several villages and mining sites in the region.
People who had fled fighting between Congolese armed forces and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels are also believed to be among the victims.
Illustration of a gold mine in South Kivu, DRC © PHOTO GLODY MURHABAZI / AFP
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