Bridge Collapse in Congo Mine Leaves 32 Dead, 40 Missing in Southeastern Region
Image Source: Internet
A devastating bridge collapse at a mine in southeastern Congo has claimed the lives of at least 32 people, with a further 40 reported missing. The incident occurred at the Kalando mine in Mulondo, Lualaba province, and is believed to have been triggered by a combination of factors, including overcrowding and panic caused by gunfire from soldiers. According to Roy Kaumba Mayonde, the province's interior minister, the mine had been closed due to heavy rainfall and the risk of landslides, but a group of illegal diggers forced their way into the site. A report by the Congo's Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Support and Guidance Service (SAEME) suggests that the gunfire sparked panic among the miners, who rushed to the bridge and caused it to collapse, resulting in the tragic loss of life. The Kalando mine has been at the center of a long-standing dispute between wildcat miners, a cooperative meant to organize operations, and the site's legal operators. Congo is the world's largest producer of cobalt, a mineral used in the production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, and Chinese companies control 80% of the country's production. The mining industry in Congo has faced numerous allegations of child labor, unsafe working conditions, and corruption. The region has also been plagued by decades of violence, with government forces and armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, contributing to an acute humanitarian crisis. The incident has raised further concerns about the safety and regulation of the mining industry in Congo, with many calling for greater oversight and protections for workers and local communities.
