Home / Disasters and Accidents / Miner Rescued After 21 Hours Trapped in DRC Landslide
Miner Rescued After 21 Hours Trapped in DRC Landslide
6 Feb
Summary
- One miner miraculously survived 21 hours trapped underground.
- A landslide at a coltan mine in Rubaya killed at least 200 people.
- Unregulated mining practices are blamed for the catastrophic collapse.
A significant landslide at the Luwowo mining site near Rubaya in the Democratic Republic of the Congo tragically claimed at least 200 lives last week. Among the buried was Grace Barata, who was miraculously rescued after 21 hours underground. He recounted the terrifying experience of darkness and dwindling oxygen before rescuers found him and two friends.
The disaster occurred on Wednesday, January 28, when heavy rains triggered a collapse at the coltan, tin, and tungsten mine. Artisanal miners and vendors were present at the site when the landslide hit. Many victims died from asphyxiation or were crushed by the falling earth.
Rebel authorities in control of Rubaya confirmed the death toll, though local civil society groups suggest the number could be higher. The Congolese government in Kinshasa has accused the M23 rebel group and Rwanda of backing the rebels and facilitating illegal mining, a claim rejected by the AFC-M23 coalition.
Environmental analysts point to unregulated and illegal mining as the root cause, which weakens the soil and disregards safety standards. Despite the region's rich mineral wealth, providing essential components for modern technology, local populations endure dangerous conditions. Barata, despite his harrowing experience, feels compelled to return to mining due to economic necessity.
