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The collapse of a copper mine bridge in the Democratic Republic of Congo has left multiple people dead.
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Release time：2025-11-21
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The human rights advocacy group is calling for an independent investigation into the military's role in these deaths.
According to the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) artisanal mining agency, a bridge collapsed at the Kalanjo multipurpose copper mine in Lualaba Province, DRC, resulting in multiple fatalities. An agency official told Reuters that the incident in the country's southeastern region claimed the lives of 49 people, while 20 others sustained critical injuries and are currently being treated in hospitals. News agencies reported that SAEMAPE, the DRC's Support and Guidance Service for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, stated: "The collapse was triggered by panic, reportedly set off after security personnel from the military stationed at the site opened fire." The agency added: "Miners then panicked and began piling on top of one another, leading to further casualties."
The Minister of Interior for Lualaba Province, Roy Komba, stated in a televised address that 32 deaths have been confirmed so far. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Protection Initiative has called for an independent investigation into the military's role in the deadly incident, citing reports of clashes between miners and soldiers. According to Reuters, a military spokesperson has yet to respond to these allegations. Artisanal mining remains a vital source of employment in the Democratic Republic of Congo, directly supporting between 1.5 million and 2 million people, while indirectly sustaining over 10 million others. However, accidents are frequent in these relatively unregulated mining operations, often resulting in dozens of fatalities each year, as excavator operators routinely work under unsafe conditions. Authorities reported that soldiers opened fire, triggering panic and overcrowding, which ultimately led to the collapse of the copper-cobalt mine bridge. The report underscored that a long-standing controversy continues to center on the military's involvement in securing mining areas.
It is reported that the Democratic Republic of Congo is the world's largest producer of cobalt, a mineral essential for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and other products. Chinese companies control approximately 80% of the country's cobalt output. The mining industry in the DRC has long been under scrutiny, facing allegations of child labor, unsafe working conditions, and widespread corruption. While eastern Congo boasts abundant mineral resources, the region has endured decades of violent conflicts between government forces and armed groups—such as the Rwanda-backed M23. The resurgence of these militant groups has further escalated tensions in the area, compounding an already dire humanitarian crisis.
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