Deadly landslide at CAR goldmine claims over 100 lives
A landslide at an artisanal goldmine in the Central African Republic has killed more than 100 people. The collapse occurred in the village of Zamboye near the Cameroon border. Rescue teams are searching for survivors, and the death toll is expected to rise.
The collapse occurred Tuesday afternoon in Zamboye, roughly 50 kilometers from Baboua near the Cameroon frontier. Local prosecutors attribute the disaster to the failure of multiple underground tunnels where miners were working. Rescue operations using tractors and other heavy equipment are underway, though officials worry such machinery may endanger anyone still trapped beneath the debris.
Artisanal mining remains widespread across Africa despite legal prohibitions, driven by persistent unemployment. These operations typically lack adequate safety measures, contributing to recurring tragedies. At least 40 people have died in separate mining incidents within CAR this year alone, underscoring the chronic hazards facing informal miners.
This tragedy could deepen economic hardship in border communities where informal mining provides a rare income source. Families who lose breadwinners may face prolonged financial instability, while survivors might be deterred from returning to hazardous sites—or forced back by necessity. The incident may also prompt scrutiny of safety regulations across the region's artisanal mining sector, though enforcement challenges could limit meaningful change.