Jan 31, Kathmandu - At least 200 miners have died in a massive coltan mine collapse in the Rubaya region of the African country of Congo.

A spokesman for the March 23 Movement (M-23) has confirmed the incident. According to the spokesman, most of the victims were buried in the mud when various mine tunnels suddenly collapsed. Among the dead were women and children, which further aggravates the seriousness of the incident. Most of the victims were miners who worked in the mines for a living.

The collapses have occurred one after another in different coltan mines in the Rubaya region. The Rubaya region has been under the control of the M-23 rebel group since April 2024, which has also caused difficulties in rescue and relief operations.

According to United Nations estimates, the mines in the Rubaya region produce about 15 percent of the global tantalum supply.

Following the incident, local residents and human rights groups have expressed serious concerns about the mine's safety conditions, child labor, and unregulated mining. The exact identities and details of the deceased have not yet been made public.