Copper mine collapse kills dozens in DR Congo

John WESSELS / AFP

A copper and cobalt mine has collapsed in south-east DR Congo, killing at least 43 people.

Local authorities have blamed the accident on "clandestine artisanal diggers", adding that more bodies could be found as rescue work continues at the mine.

According to reports, the incident happened on Thursday at the Kamoto Copper Company, a subsidiary of Swiss mining giant Glencore. 

Illegal mining is common in the region, as locals cash in on cobalt's growing popularity as it's used in mobile phone and electric car batteries.

More from International News

  • Vancouver man charged with murder for attack on Filipino festival

    Canadian prosecutors have charged a 30-year-old Vancouver resident with murder for killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens after he rammed an SUV through a crowd at a Filipino community festival in the western Canadian city.

  • Qatari PM: Ceasefire talks on Gaza show signs of progress

    Qatar's prime minister said on Sunday that efforts to reach a new ceasefire in Gaza have made some progress but an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the war remains elusive.

  • More than 700 injured in Iran's explosion

    A huge blast most likely caused by the explosion of chemical materials killed at least 18 people and injured more than 700 on Saturday at Iran's biggest port, Bandar Abbas, Iranian state media reported.

  • UN warns funding cuts threaten vital aid

    The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have sounded the alarm over severe funding shortfalls that are hindering life-saving humanitarian aid in countries including Nigeria, Burundi, and Colombia.