KINSHASA: More than 200 people were killed this week in a collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Lubumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesperson for the rebel-appointed governor of the province where the mine is located, told Reuters on Friday.
Rubaya produces around 15 percent 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, where locals dig manually for a few dollars per day, has been under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel group since 2024.
The collapse occurred on Wednesday and the precise toll was still unclear as of Friday evening.
“More than 200 people were victims of this landslide, including miners, children and market women. Some people were rescued just in time and have serious injuries,” Muyisa said, adding that about 20 injured people were being treated in health facilities.
“We are in the rainy season. The ground is fragile. It was the ground that gave way while the victims were in the hole.”
An adviser to the governor said the number of confirmed dead was at least 227. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.
The United Nations says AFC/M23 has plundered Rubaya’s riches to help fund its insurgency, backed by the government of neighboring Rwanda, an allegation Kigali denies.
The heavily-armed rebels, whose stated aim is to overthrow the government in Kinshasa and ensure the safety of the Congolese Tutsi minority, captured even more mineral-rich territory in eastern Congo during a lightning advance last year.
More than 200 killed in coltan mine collapse in east Congo, official says
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More than 200 killed in coltan mine collapse in east Congo, official says
- “Some people were rescued just in time and have serious injuries,” Muyisa
- An adviser to the governor said the number of confirmed dead was at least 227
Socialist defeats far-right candidate in Portugal’s presidential runoff, exit polls show
- The presidency is a largely ceremonial role in Portugal but wields some key powers such as veto legislation
LISBON: Moderate Socialist Antonio Jose Seguro appeared to be headed for a landslide victory in Portugal’s presidential runoff on Sunday, with two exit polls putting him in the 67 percent-73 percent range, well ahead of his far-right, anti-establishment rival Andre Ventura.
The exit polls conducted for television channels RTP, SIC and TVI/CNN placed Ventura at 27 percent-33 percent, still a better result than the 22.8 percent his anti-immigration Chega party achieved in last year’s general election.
Last year, Chega became the second-largest parliamentary force, overtaking the Socialists and landing behind the center-right ruling alliance, which garnered 31.2 percent.
Despite his loss on Sunday, 43-year-old Ventura, a charismatic former TV sports commentator, can now boast increased support, reflecting the growing influence of the far right in Portugal and much of Europe.
The presidency is a largely ceremonial role in Portugal but wields some key powers, including in some circumstances to dissolve parliament, to call a snap parliamentary election, and to veto legislation.
