In the conflict-ridden eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a devastating gold mine collapse has left an unknown number of artisanal miners trapped underground. The disaster occurred in Lomera, a gold-mining village in South Kivu province, where frantic rescue operations have been underway since the early hours of Sunday. Locals, lacking access to professional rescue equipment, have been using their bare hands and rudimentary tools to search for survivors under the rubble.
According to local journalist Ashuza Barack, six individuals have been pulled out alive so far, including one in critical condition. However, the exact death toll remains unclear. While one resident reported that 12 bodies had been recovered, Barack told the BBC that no bodies had been officially retrieved as of yet.
The mining shafts reportedly collapsed following a series of sudden and powerful landslides, burying as many as 15 makeshift tunnels. The area has seen a dramatic transformation since the end of 2023 when gold was discovered in nearby hills. The discovery triggered a gold rush, drawing thousands of hopeful miners to Lomera, turning the once-quiet village into a chaotic sprawl of unregulated shafts and temporary shelters. Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) had previously raised alarm over public health conditions in the area after a cholera outbreak linked to poor sanitation and overcrowding.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the political and security context. The South Kivu region, rich in minerals essential for global electronics manufacturing, has been under the control of the M23 rebel group since early 2025. The M23 has denied reports that hundreds of miners are trapped and has since ordered a halt to mining operations in parts of the affected zone. However, survivors and rescuers on the ground insist that many remain buried beneath the rubble.
Efforts to remove debris have been slow, hindered by massive stones and unstable ground conditions. “We’ve been digging since Sunday night but have not recovered any bodies. We are exhausted,” one of the volunteer rescuers shared.
This tragedy highlights the dangerous conditions in which artisanal miners work in the DRC. With little oversight or safety protocols, mining accidents are tragically common. The international community relies heavily on minerals such as gold, coltan, and cobalt extracted from this region yet the human cost of this supply chain often goes unacknowledged.
The collapse comes just days after the M23 signed a ceasefire deal with the Congolese government in Doha, Qatar, signaling a potential easing of hostilities. However, the disaster in Lomera serves as a stark reminder that for many Congolese citizens, especially those in mineral-rich but unstable provinces, peace remains elusive and prosperity comes at a perilous price.
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