32 killed after bridge collapses at copper, cobalt mine in DR Congo

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 32 people have been killed after a bridge collapsed at a copper and cobalt mine in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.

The incident occurred on Saturday at the Kalando mine in southeastern Lualaba province, according to the province’s interior minister, Roy Kaumbe Mayonde.

“Despite a formal ban on access to the site because of heavy rain and the risk of a landslide, wildcat miners forced their way into the quarry,” Mayonde said.

He added that the makeshift bridge, built to cross a flooded trench, collapsed as miners rushed across it.

A report by the DRC’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Support and Guidance Service (SAEMAPE) said gunfire from soldiers at the site sparked panic among the miners. As they fled toward the bridge, it gave way, causing them to fall and pile on top of one another, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

While Mayonde put the death toll at least 32, the report said at least 40 people had lost their lives.

kk/sa