At least six people have died after a mining shaft collapsed at the Rubaya coltan site in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Witnesses said the bodies of three women and three men were retrieved on Tuesday from the mine, located about 70 kilometres west of Goma. Several others were reportedly seriously injured in the incident, which occurred in an area known as the Gasasa quarry.
Relatives gathered at the sprawling site in search of information about missing family members.
It marks the second deadly accident at Rubaya in recent weeks. At least 200 people were killed in late January when heavy rains triggered a massive landslide at the mine.
Thousands of artisanal miners work in hazardous conditions at Rubaya, often using basic tools such as shovels and wearing rubber boots.
The vast operation is estimated to account for between 15% and 30% of global coltan output. It has been under the control of the M23 rebel group since April 2024.
The Rwanda-backed movement reportedly generates about $800,000 per month from the site by imposing a $7-per-kilogram tax on coltan production and sales.
M23 has captured large areas of eastern DR Congo since re-emerging in 2021, taking advantage of a mineral-rich region that has endured decades of armed conflict.
Clashes have intensified around Rubaya in recent days. On 24 February, a drone strike killed M23 military spokesperson Willy Ngoma.
