A tragic accident shook southeastern Congo on Saturday when a bridge collapsed at a semi-industrial copper mine, killing 30 people, Reuters reported. The incident took place at the Kalando mining site in Lualaba province, where hundreds of artisanal miners work every day.
Officials from Congo’s artisanal mining agency, SAEMAPE, said that the collapse led to a large number of deaths and injuries. One agency official told Reuters that 49 people may have died, while 20 others were hospitalised in critical condition. Local authorities later confirmed the number of deaths, but rescue teams are still checking the final figures.
Congo mine tragedy: What triggered the collapse
According to SAEMAPE, the tragedy was caused by panic that spread across the mining area. The panic reportedly started after gunfire was heard, believed to be from military personnel who were stationed at the site for security, Reuters reported. Scared miners attempted to escape and crowded onto a narrow bridge. The bridge could not handle the sudden rush of people and collapsed.
🚨🇨🇩 Major Landlside Congo
— Chyno News (@ChynoNews) November 16, 2025
A massive landlside at a mine recently occurred in Lualaba in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Many workers were trapped as dozens of fatalities are confirmed
Reports indicate that rescue operations have been difficult due to a lack of equipment pic.twitter.com/y2AioGpknB
In its statement on Sunday, SAEMAPE said, “Miners piled on top of each other, causing injuries and death.” A video has surfaced showing a massive landslide at a mine in Lualaba.. Many workers were trapped, and dozens of fatalities have been confirmed. Reports indicate that rescue operations have been difficult due to a lack of equipment.
The Initiative for the Protection of Human Rights has demanded a full, independent investigation into the incident. The group alleged reports of clashes between miners and soldiers just before the bridge fell. A spokesperson for the military has not yet commented on the claims.
Lualaba’s provincial interior minister, Roy Kaumba, said in a televised briefing that 32 deaths had been officially confirmed so far. Rescue teams were active through Sunday, trying to find survivors and determine the exact number of people affected.
Mining in Congo: A high-risk lifeline
Artisanal mining is a major source of livelihood in Congo. Between 1.5 to 2 million people work in mining, and more than 10 million depend on it indirectly. These mines are often poorly regulated and lack proper safety measures. Miners dig deep underground with limited equipment. At the same time, structural failures, like landslides, tunnel collapses, and weak bridges, are common. Every year, dozens of miners die in such accidents. Saturday’s collapse is now among the deadliest mining disasters in Congo this year.
