A collapse at a coltan mine in eastern Congo has led to the death of at least 200 people, according to authorities, although the M23 rebels contest the figure.

A tragic collapse at the coltan mine in Rubaya, eastern Congo, has resulted in the death of at least 200 people, according to the Ministry of Mines in Congo. The M23 rebels, who control the mine, dispute this figure, claiming that the incident was caused by bombings and that only five people died. Miners in the area, such as Ibrahim Taluseke, claim that they have recovered over 200 bodies. Rubaya is located in a mineral-rich region affected by violence and armed conflicts, including by M23, which took control of the town in May 2024. Congo is a major supplier of coltan, essential for technology production, generating significant revenue for the M23 rebels. Additionally, eastern Congo is facing one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with over 7 million people displaced. Although peace agreements have been signed between Congo and Rwanda, violence continues, severely affecting the civilian population.