🕒 Created · Updated

More than 100 people have died following a landslide at an artisanal gold mine in the Central African Republic.

More than 100 people have died after an artisanal gold mine in the village of Zamboye, in the western Central African Republic, collapsed due to a landslide on Tuesday. The disaster occurred near the border with Cameroon, where several nations and local workers reported the death toll is likely to rise as rescue efforts continue. Local officials and the Red Cross have been working to recover bodies from the debris, though some workers noted that the rescue operation lacks sufficient equipment and expertise. The Baboua subprefecture court has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse, identify the victims, and establish potential criminal liability. Artisanal mining is common in the region, where thousands of laborers work with limited safety standards. Mines Minister Rufin Benam Beltoungou expressed condolences to the families of the victims and warned of the dangers of unsafe mining practices. Cameroon and Chad and also reported casualties among their citizens, with several bodies being repatriated across the borders.

Sources