As mining operations in Lomera, DR Congo, face tragic setbacks due to landslides, local communities come together to rescue trapped miners with limited resources. The situation draws attention to the ongoing conflict and mining hazards in the region.
Desperate Rescue Efforts Underway for Trapped Miners in DR Congo
Desperate Rescue Efforts Underway for Trapped Miners in DR Congo
Local rescuers face challenges as they search for miners trapped following landslides in a chaotic gold-mining area.
In the gold-mining region of Lomera, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, rescuers are working tirelessly with their bare hands and rudimentary tools in an attempt to save miners trapped underground after a series of landslides. Local journalist Ashuza Barack reported that since the tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, six miners have been rescued alive, one of whom is seriously injured. However, the situation remains dire, with conflicting information regarding the death toll—one resident claimed that 12 bodies have been discovered, while Barack stated that no bodies had been recovered.
The area has become a hub for aspiring miners following the discovery of gold at the end of last year. The influx of hundreds to thousands seeking fortune has transformed the once tranquil village into a chaotic landscape filled with makeshift shelters and numerous shafts. Reports indicate that the unexpected landslides buried up to 15 of these mining sites without warning, prompting urgent rescue attempts that have been hampered by debris obstruction.
Efforts to recover remaining miners have been further complicated by a lack of appropriate equipment and resources, with one miner stating, "We've been digging since Sunday night but have not recovered any bodies. We are exhausted." Recent intervention from the M23 rebel group, which controls the region, included halting mining activities in some areas following their visit to the site.
The chaotic mining landscape in this region of DR Congo has raised concerns regarding safety standards, as mines often operate without proper regulations. This region supplies crucial metals and minerals to the global electronics industry and has been plagued by ongoing conflict sparked by battles among various rebel factions and the government for territorial control. In recent months, the M23 captured Goma, a key city in the area, and despite a newly brokered ceasefire with the government, tensions continue to escalate, creating a turbulent backdrop for local mining operations and the desperate quest to save trapped miners.
