At least 100 killed after illegal gold mine collapses in Central African Republic

A landslide at an illegal gold mine in the Central African Republic has claimed at least 100 lives, with rescue teams continuing to search for survivors. The collapse occurred at the Zamboye mining site, approximately 50 kilometers from the town of Baboua, where around 300 artisanal miners were working. Several people were injured and taken to hospitals in Baboua.

The ground completely collapsed, burying people, as described by a miner, Cedric Mbango, who called the incident catastrophic. The Baboua public prosecutor stated that the landslide was likely caused by the collapse of several underground tunnels. A judicial inquiry has been launched into the accident. Four victims were reportedly Cameroonian nationals, and authorities from both countries are collaborating to address the aftermath.

The disaster has highlighted the dangerous conditions at unregulated mining sites in mineral-rich Central African Republic, where landslides and tunnel collapses are common in operations outside state control. Critics blame the government for the recurring accidents, while others condemn the inhumane conditions faced by miners in unregulated sites.

This incident follows a series of deadly mining accidents along the Central African Republic-Cameroon border, including a similar collapse in June 2022 at the Be-Mbari gold mining site, which killed several dozen people.