Fears that 500 miners are trapped in Congo landslides
Stockholm, July 23 (Hibya) – Local police estimate that nearly 500 miners may be trapped after a series of landslides caused by heavy rainfall in South Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A police spokesperson stated that since the disaster occurred on Sunday in a remote part of the province, the bodies of 12 people have been found. Local authorities said that volunteers are working to find potential survivors and recover the bodies of the victims.
Due to the informal nature of many miners’ work, confirming the exact number of victims is difficult. The South Kivu region is known for its rich mineral and rare earth resources.
South Kivu has recently been affected by intense rains, causing landslides in many villages and mining sites in the region.
It is believed that among the victims are people who fled conflicts between Congolese armed forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
Usa News Agency