Rescue operations in a gold-mining area of the Democratic Republic of Congo are underway, as local miners dig with bare hands to save their trapped colleagues after multiple shaft collapses, amid ongoing conflict and poor safety standards.
Tragedy in DR Congo: Miners Trapped as Rescuers Struggle to Dig with Bare Hands
Tragedy in DR Congo: Miners Trapped as Rescuers Struggle to Dig with Bare Hands
Desperate attempts to rescue trapped miners in South Kivu highlight the risks of unregulated gold mining.
In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an urgent rescue effort has been initiated as miners use only their bare hands and rudimentary tools to save colleagues trapped underground following a series of collapses at makeshift gold shafts. Six individuals have been rescued, although one remains seriously injured, according to local journalist Ashuza Barack. Conflicting reports regarding the death toll have emerged, with one resident claiming that 12 bodies have been recovered, while others insist no fatalities have yet been confirmed.
The affected site, located in Lomera within South Kivu province, has become a hub for artisanal miners after the discovery of gold drew thousands to the area late last year. Many ventured into this newfound chaos in search of fortune, intensifying the dangers associated with unregulated mining practices, which have resulted in unsafe conditions. Medical charity MSF noted that the rush has turned the once-quiet region into a landscape of perilous mineshafts, exacerbated by recent cholera outbreaks.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that cascading landslides buried numerous makeshift mining shafts without warning, further complicating rescue efforts. Miners at the scene reported exhaustion after digging for hours without recovering additional bodies, and an official from the M23 rebel group visited to enforce a mining halt in certain areas, illustrating the volatile relationship between the mining operations and ongoing conflict in the region.
Conflict in eastern DRC has plagued local communities for decades, with various armed groups battling for control over the rich mineral resources. The M23 rebel group has expanded its territory this year and recently declared a ceasefire deal with the government following negotiations mediated by Qatar, although serious challenges remain ahead in bridging peace and stability amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis. This exploitation of natural resources continues to highlight the intersection of environmental hazards and humanitarian issues in the region.
The affected site, located in Lomera within South Kivu province, has become a hub for artisanal miners after the discovery of gold drew thousands to the area late last year. Many ventured into this newfound chaos in search of fortune, intensifying the dangers associated with unregulated mining practices, which have resulted in unsafe conditions. Medical charity MSF noted that the rush has turned the once-quiet region into a landscape of perilous mineshafts, exacerbated by recent cholera outbreaks.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that cascading landslides buried numerous makeshift mining shafts without warning, further complicating rescue efforts. Miners at the scene reported exhaustion after digging for hours without recovering additional bodies, and an official from the M23 rebel group visited to enforce a mining halt in certain areas, illustrating the volatile relationship between the mining operations and ongoing conflict in the region.
Conflict in eastern DRC has plagued local communities for decades, with various armed groups battling for control over the rich mineral resources. The M23 rebel group has expanded its territory this year and recently declared a ceasefire deal with the government following negotiations mediated by Qatar, although serious challenges remain ahead in bridging peace and stability amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis. This exploitation of natural resources continues to highlight the intersection of environmental hazards and humanitarian issues in the region.
