The death toll from a landslide at a coltan mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 200, including around 70 children, authorities announced Wednesday.

The landslide occurred on Tuesday at the Rubaya mining area in North Kivu province, burying miners, food vendors and other small-scale traders.

The victims were mostly artisanal miners who exploited coltan in the mine, located roughly 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of the provincial capital Goma.

A statement by the Mines Ministry said the death toll could climb.

“The provisional toll is more than 200 people dead, including around 70 minor children. Several of the wounded were evacuated to health facilities,” the ministry said.

Local media, citing an artisanal miner who survived the accident, said a shaft began to collapse slowly, and within seconds, it covered many people.

The mining area, rich in minerals including coltan, cassiterite, gold, and tourmaline, has been under the control of M23 rebels since 2024.

The government denounced the “precarious” conditions of exploitation without strict regulation due to the absence of state authority and the illegal exploitation of minerals at the site by rebels.

The incident follows another disaster at the same site in January, killing over 400 people, according to local media reports. (AA)