DR Congo rescuers dig with bare hands for trapped miners
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Locals dig with bare hands to rescue trapped miners after shafts collapse in eastern DR Congo.
Gold Mine Tragedy Unfolds Amid Desperation and Danger in Eastern DR Congo
Desperate Rescue Mission Begins
In the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, residents in the gold-mining village of Lomera have launched a desperate effort to rescue miners trapped underground. Using only bare hands and rudimentary tools, the locals are battling against time, exhaustion, and the lack of proper equipment to save lives after a series of mine shaft collapses. The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, sparking a large community response.
Survivors Pulled from Debris
So far, six miners have been rescued alive, with one in critical condition, according to journalist Ashuza Barack, who spoke with the BBC. Despite the ongoing efforts, hopes are fading for many more who may still be trapped. There are conflicting accounts about the number of casualties. While one resident claimed 12 bodies had been found, Barack reported that no bodies have officially been recovered yet.
Gold Rush Transforms Quiet Village
Lomera has seen a rapid and chaotic transformation since gold was discovered in the nearby hills late last year. What was once a quiet and calm village has now become a crowded hub for artisanal gold miners, many of whom arrived seeking quick fortune. Thousands of people, including women and children, have moved in, building makeshift shelters around poorly dug mining shafts.
Hazards of Unregulated Mining
The overcrowded mining site quickly turned into what medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) described as “a sprawling chaos of mineshafts and makeshift shelters.” Safety protocols are nonexistent. As a result, the entire area became vulnerable to collapses, especially after recent rainfall. According to reports, the shafts caved in suddenly, without any warning, burying miners deep underground.
Landslides Trigger Shaft Collapses
The landslides, which occurred in quick succession, are believed to have buried up to 15 makeshift shafts. These shafts were built with little regard for structural safety. The collapsing earth and falling stones created a chain reaction that overwhelmed any chance for miners to escape. Families and co-workers rushed to the scene, joining in the rescue with whatever tools they could find.
Lack of Equipment Slows Rescue
Rescue efforts have been severely hampered by the absence of professional equipment. The miners and volunteers are forced to dig through massive debris and stones using shovels, buckets, and even their hands. Barack noted that survivors reported hearing voices from beneath the ground, indicating others are still alive but unreachable. Morale is deteriorating as the work becomes more dangerous and exhausting with each passing hour.
M23 Rebel Group Responds
The area is under the control of the M23 rebel group, which took over large parts of eastern DR Congo earlier this year. The M23 leadership has rejected claims that hundreds are still trapped. However, their representatives have visited the site and have instructed a suspension of mining operations in parts of the region while investigations continue.
Conflict Fuels the Crisis
Eastern DR Congo has been the site of ongoing conflict for decades. Various rebel factions, government forces, and local militias have vied for control of the country’s resource-rich land. These conflicts often leave communities lawless and without support from official institutions. Mining in such zones becomes not only dangerous but unregulated, with workers facing severe risks daily.
Global Dependence on Conflict Minerals
Many of the minerals extracted from these unregulated mines—including gold, cobalt, and coltan—are used globally in the electronics industry. Yet, despite their critical role in consumer technology, the source of these materials often remains hidden from end users. The Lomera collapse is a stark reminder of the human cost behind everyday gadgets and devices.
Ceasefire Offers Little Relief
The M23 recently captured the city of Goma, a strategic and commercial hub in eastern DR Congo. Although a ceasefire agreement was signed between the M23 and the Congolese government over the weekend, brokered by Qatar, tensions remain high. For now, families in Lomera continue to dig, hoping that some of their loved ones will emerge alive from the soil that promised them fortune.
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