Congo Mine Collapse Death Toll Rises, Families Grieve Amid Ongoing Search. Goma, Congo — 2026-02-03 Lead Paragraph: The death toll from last week’s tragic collapse of the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Congo has climbed to at least 200, with families mourning the loss of their loved ones as the search for survivors continues.
The collapse, triggered by heavy rains, has left a community in shock and prompted accusations of illegal and unsafe mining practices by the Rwanda — backed M23 rebel group, which controls the mine.
Mourners gathered quietly in the courtyard of a modest home in Goma on Monday, shoulder to shoulder, in a solemn reminder of the human cost of the disaster. Timothée Nzanga, whose brother Bosco Nguvumali Kalabosh was among the victims, recounted the desperate search operations that followed.
“They extracted the people closest and several were found lifeless and placed aside,” he.
“It took considerable force to try to free (his body). During these searches they also discovered other bodies, those of unknown people, which they simply placed nearby.
” The Rubaya mine, located about 40 kilometers west of Goma, is a crucial source of coltan, a mineral vital for mobile phones, computers, and military technology.
The artisanal miners who work there dig long, narrow tunnels by hand, often without proper supports or escape routes, making such disasters particularly deadly. Survivor Tumaini Munguiko recalled the terrifying moment the hillside gave way. “We were in the mine when it started to rain,” he.
“We saw the hill collapse on the miners. Some came out safe and sound, and others died. ” In the aftermath of the collapse, M23 authorities halted artisanal mining at the site.
The search for survivors is ongoing. Congo’s government, in a statement on social media, expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and accused the rebels of illegally and unsafely exploiting the region’s natural resources.
The community of Goma and beyond continue to grieve the loss of lives in the mine collapse.
The incident has sparked discussions about the dangers of artisanal mining and the need for safer working conditions. Further details and information on the incident are expected to emerge as the search and investigation continue.
