Deadliest Landslides in Congo: Rubaya Mine Collapse Kills Over 200 – At Least 227 Feared Dead
- Diptota Dey
- 02 Feb, 2026
§ Deadliest Landslide in Congo
§ Over 200 Killed in Rubaya Coltan Mine Collapse – M23 Rebels Report Tragedy
§ Massive landslide buries miners alive in eastern DRC’s Rubaya coltan mine; rescue ops stalled in rebel-held area as death toll hits 200+ in one of Africa’s worst mining disasters
§ At least 200-227 people killed in Rubaya coltan mine collapse, controlled by M23 rebels in North Kivu
§ Heavy rains trigger disaster in world’s top coltan source, Rescue challenges & global impact #RubayaLandslide #CongoMineCollapse
Diptota
Dey, Congo:
A massive landslide at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of
the Congo (DRC) has killed more than 200 people with local authorities saying
at least 227 are feared dead.
The disaster hit a mine controlled by the M23 armed group in North Kivu
province, where artisanal miners, children and market women were buried under
collapsing hillsides after heavy rains.
This is one of the deadliest landslides in Congo’s recent history, highlighting the deadly cost of conflict‑driven mining in a country that supplies a huge share of the world’s coltan, used in smartphones, laptops and other electronics.
Details & Context
The
landslide occurred at the Rubaya coltan mine complex on 28 January 2026, when a
section of the hillside collapsed on Wednesday afternoon, burying dozens of
miners and scavengers.
A second landslide struck early Thursday morning, worsening the devastation and
trapping more people under debris.
Local
officials appointed by the M23 rebel group said “at least 200” people were
killed, while an advisor to the governor later put the confirmed death toll at
least 227 with many still missing.
The area has suffered poor phone and internet connectivity, making rescue
operations and information flow extremely difficult.
What Happened.?
· Date: 28–29 January 2026.
· Location: Rubaya coltan mine, North Kivu province, eastern DRC.
· Control: Mine held by the M23 armed group, which took over Rubaya in April 2024 with alleged Rwandan support.
· Victims: Miners, children and women selling goods at nearby markets.
· Casualties: Over 200 killed with estimates of at least 227 confirmed deaths and many still trapped.
Rescue teams and local volunteers are digging through rubble but heavy rain, unstable ground and insecurity have slowed efforts.
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Quotes
·
M23‑appointed governor spokesperson
“More than 200 people were victims of this landslide, including miners,
children and market women. Some people were rescued just in time but sustained
serious injuries.”
·
Congolese government statement
“The international community must fully understand the magnitude of this
tragedy, caused by armed occupation and an organized system of looting.”
·
UN‑linked humanitarian source
“Information is coming in dribs and drabs via motorbike couriers, making it
hard to know the real death toll.”
· Lumumba Kambere Muyisa (M23-appointed governor): “At least 200 people have been killed... rescue operations are underway but difficult.”
· Rebel spokesperson: “The death toll could rise as many are still buried.”
· Human rights groups: “Limited information due to rebel control and poor networks; actual numbers may be higher.”
· BBC report: “More than 200 killed in coltan mine collapse... bodies still under rubble.”
Additional Information
The
Rubaya mine is one of the world’s most important sources of coltan, a mineral
used in smartphones, laptops and other electronics.
Experts say 60% of the world’s coltan reserves are in the DRC, along with large
deposits of gold, tin and other valuable minerals.
The
M23 group, which re‑emerged in 2021, has seized control of large mineral‑rich
areas in eastern Congo and is accused by UN experts of using mining profits to
fund its rebellion.
Rwanda denies supporting M23 but the Congolese government blames the tragedy on
armed occupation and organized looting of its resources.
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Impact Analysis
· Human cost: Families in nearby villages are waiting for news of missing loved ones, while survivors face trauma, injury and loss of livelihood.
· Global supply chains: The disaster exposes the human price of cheap electronics, as coltan from Rubaya feeds into global tech manufacturing.
· Conflict and mining: The landslide underlines how armed groups, weak regulation and poverty combine to create extremely dangerous working conditions in artisanal mines.
This disaster is heartbreaking. Over 200 families lost loved ones in a poor, war-torn area where mining is the only job. Artisanal miners dig by hand in dangerous spots. Global tech companies using coltan may face supply issues, raising ethical questions on conflict minerals. M23 earns big from the mine, funding their fight – this could worsen violence in eastern DRC. Rescue delays mean more suffering. It highlights need for safer mining and peace in the region. Pope Leo XIV prayed for victims, showing worldwide attention.
Conclusion
The
deadliest landslides in Congo’s Rubaya mine are not just a natural disaster –
they are the result of years of conflict, exploitation and unsafe mining
practices in one of the world’s most mineral‑rich regions.
As the death toll climbs and rescue efforts struggle on, the world must ask:
how many more lives will be lost before safer, more ethical mining becomes the
norm.?
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