Goma, DR Congo—A massive landslide struck an artisanal coltan mine in the Masisi territory yesterday. Dozens of people are confirmed dead after the ground gave way during intense rainfall. Rescue teams are struggling to navigate the unstable, debris-filled landscape to recover bodies.

The site is located in a region notorious for its volatile geology and lack of safety standards. Thousands of miners operate in these informal pits every day. They often dig deep, unsupported tunnels to reach mineral-rich soil. The recent heavy rains have made the hill slopes particularly dangerous.

Witnesses at the scene describe a chaotic rush as the earth collapsed. Many of the victims were buried while working in the deepest sections of the shaft. Others were caught in a small market area that had sprung up at the foot of the hill.

The area is currently under the control of armed groups who oversee the local trade. Their presence complicates the efforts of emergency services to access the site. There is no central coordination for health and safety in these zones. Aid workers are barred from entering parts of the territory due to ongoing security threats.

Local families have gathered at the perimeter, searching for news of loved ones. Many victims were small-scale traders or children who supported the mining operations. Identification of the remains is expected to take several days. Hospitals in nearby towns are already reporting an influx of the injured.

Mining experts have long warned about the risk of such disasters in North Kivu. Excessive excavation has hollowed out the hillsides, stripping away the natural vegetation that anchors the soil. The lack of proper regulation allows these dangerous practices to continue unabated.

The impact of this collapse will be felt long after the rescue operations end. The site was a primary source of income for many local households. The loss of life and the destruction of the market will leave thousands in immediate poverty.

Security forces have cordoned off the affected slope, but people are already beginning to return to nearby areas. The economic pressure to find coltan remains stronger than the fear of the shifting ground. Officials say the risk of further landslides remains high while the rains continue.