At least 32 people died when a makeshift bridge collapsed at the Kalando mine, a copper and cobalt site in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The bridge gave way under a huge crowd of miners who were trying to flee. Soldiers reportedly fired shots just before the collapse, causing panic. Many miners were left “piled on top of each other,” leading to deaths and injuries.
Access to the mining site had been banned due to heavy rain and landslide risks, but many informal miners forced their way in.
The mine is the site of disputes between informal diggers, the officially operating company, and the cooperative meant to regulate them. Human rights groups are calling for an independent investigation, especially into the role of the military.
Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, a key mineral used in electric vehicle batteries and electronics.
