Key facts
- A landslide at an artisanal gold mine in Zamboye, Central African Republic, killed over 100 people.
- The incident occurred near the border with Cameroon.
A landslide at an artisanal gold mine in Zamboye, Central African Republic, killed over 100 people. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but local workers say the response lacks adequate equipment and expertise. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the tunnel collapse.
The incident highlights the significant safety risks and lack of regulation in artisanal mining operations in the Central African Republic, leading to frequent and deadly accidents. It also underscores the cross-border impact of such disasters, with citizens from neighboring countries also falling victim.
More than 100 people have died following a landslide at an artisanal gold mine in Zamboye, Central African Republic, near the border with Cameroon. Hopes of finding survivors were fading two days after the disaster, with rescuers continuing to recover bodies from the debris. Local workers expressed concerns that the rescue efforts lacked the necessary equipment and expertise for a disaster of this scale. The local Red Cross is assisting with the search, and more than 10 bodies were recovered on Thursday morning alone.
An investigation has been opened by the Baboua subprefecture court to determine why several underground tunnels collapsed, identify victims and those responsible for operating the site, and establish any potential criminal liability. Mines Minister Rufin Benam Beltoungou offered condolences to the victims' families and cautioned against unsafe mining practices.
Artisanal mine collapses are a recurring issue in the Central African Republic, where thousands engage in small-scale mining with minimal safety protections. Pits are often hand-dug and can be several meters deep, with walls that are not stabilized, making them susceptible to landslides, especially during the rainy season. Heavy rainfall had weakened the soils in the area, according to the mayor of a nearby Cameroonian town. Among the dead were at least four Cameroonians and two Chadians. The mayor is working with Central African authorities to repatriate injured Cameroonians and the bodies of those killed.
Reports from earlier this year highlighted unsafe and unregulated mining practices associated with a rapidly expanding gold rush around Zamboye. Mechanization has significantly increased gold mining operations, leading to environmental damage and accidents. A 2025 UN experts report documented illicit mining in the area, involving armed groups and risky extraction methods.
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