A tragic incident at the Mulondo mining site in the southern province of Lualaba has resulted in the deaths of at least 40 artisanal miners.
The catastrophe occurred on Saturday, November 15, 2025, when a makeshift bridge collapsed under the weight of hundreds of miners attempting to flee gunfire from soldiers.
The bridge, which spanned a deep drainage trench at the Mutshatsha territory mining site, gave way after soldiers tasked with securing the concession reportedly opened fire on the illegal miners. Testimonies reported by Radio Okapi and confirmed by administrative sources indicate that the panicked crowd rushed the improvised structure, causing it to collapse and plunge dozens of people into the cavity below.
Local sources cited by Radio Okapi and international news agencies confirmed the high death toll. According to local officials, 34 bodies were recovered and taken to a regional morgue, while approximately ten others were retrieved by families. Injuries, including two gunshot wounds, were also reported among the victims. An official death toll has yet to be released.
The search for victims continued throughout Sunday. Local human rights organizations have strongly called for an independent investigation to determine responsibility for the tragedy.
Sources from the provincial mining services noted that the Mulondo site is frequently a hotbed of tension between artisanal miners, cooperatives, and private partners, all vying for illegal access to the valuable mineral deposits. This tragic collapse represents one of the deadliest mining accidents in the province this year.
AC/fss/abj/APA