At least 32 killed in DR Congo mine collapse

A bridge collapsed at a cobalt mine in the Lualaba province of the DRC, killing at least 32 informal miners, with more potential victims missing in the flooded pit. The incident occurred at the Kalando mine, where miners often bypass safety bans.

Roy Kaumba Mayonde, the provincial interior minister, noted that the makeshift bridge collapsed under the weight of miners rushing across. More than 200,000 people work in illegal cobalt mining in the area.

Concerns about child labor and unsafe conditions have long plagued the industry, which supplies over 70% of the world's cobalt. Local authorities have suspended operations at the site.