More than 200 people died on Tuesday in a landslide triggered by heavy rains at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the country's mines ministry said on Wednesday.
A senior official from the AFC/M23 rebel group, which controls the mine, told Reuters earlier that only five or six died in the accident.
Rubaya produces around 15% of the world's coltan, which is processed into tantalum, a heat-resistant metal that is in high demand by makers of mobile phones, computers, aerospace components and gas turbines.
The site, which has been under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel group since 2024, was recently added to a shortlist of mining assets being offered by the Congolese government to the United States under a minerals cooperation framework.
"The damaged site is one of those where continued operation had been discouraged pending the securing of the area and the implementation of protective measures for miners. The incident is due to the heavy rains of the last few days," another senior AFC/M23 official told Reuters.
The mines ministry said that around 70 children were among the victims and that many injured were evacuated to health facilities in the city of Goma.
An M23 spokesperson wasn't immediately available for comment on the government's toll.
The latest incident came a month after another disaster at the site killed more than 200 people in late January.
The third stage of the Tour de France will be closed to spectators on Monday (6 July) after a fast-moving wildfire in southwestern France prompted exc...
Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran held funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family on the secon...
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed victory in a dramatic British Grand Prix after a late Safety Car and mechanical problems for rivals reshaped the rac...
Regional economic cooperation took centre stage in Baku as the 28th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Ba...
Humanoid robots stumbled, collided and recovered as they battled for the RoboCup 2026 football title on Sunday (5 July), showcasing the latest advance...
The third stage of the Tour de France will be closed to spectators on Monday (6 July) after a fast-moving wildfire in southwestern France prompted exceptional safety measures, organisers and local authorities announced.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed victory in a dramatic British Grand Prix after a late Safety Car and mechanical problems for rivals reshaped the race at Silverstone Circuit.
Regional economic cooperation took centre stage in Baku as the 28th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank was held alongside a Business Forum. The event brought together government officials, business leaders and experts from across the region.
Humanoid robots stumbled, collided and recovered as they battled for the RoboCup 2026 football title on Sunday (5 July), showcasing the latest advances in robotics and artificial intelligence at the world's largest competition of its kind.
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said.
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Governments are tightening restrictions on teenagers’ use of social media amid growing concerns over mental health, online safety and platform design, but questions remain over enforcement and whether bans can meaningfully change behaviour.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran held funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family on the second day of mass processions. Three of Khamenei's sons attended the ceremony, while his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, made no public appearance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence, saying Russia and the United States share a special responsibility for maintaining global security as the world's two largest nuclear powers.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed victory in a dramatic British Grand Prix after a late Safety Car and mechanical problems for rivals reshaped the race at Silverstone Circuit.
Juan Zapata was just finishing dinner in his fifth-floor apartment overlooking the Caribbean when the twin earthquakes struck Venezuela’s coast on the 24 June, hurling him across the room and into a collapse of concrete and steel.
U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to help find a solution to the war in Ukraine during a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin.
Wildfires are continuing to burn across southern Europe, forcing people from their homes, damaging property and stretching emergency services as high temperatures and dry conditions create ideal conditions for fast-moving fires.
For the first time in six years, Indian traders are crossing through the Lipulekh Pass in the Himalayas into Tibet to do business.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment