Over 100 Dead After Goldmine Collapses In Central African Republic — And The Death Toll Is Still Rising

A devastating landslide at an artisanal goldmine in the Central African Republic has killed more than 100 people, with rescue workers racing against time to find survivors still trapped beneath tonnes of earth.

The disaster struck on Tuesday afternoon in the village of Zamboye, located about 50 kilometres from the town of Baboua near the Cameroon border. According to The Guardian, footage circulating on social media showed an avalanche of sand descending on a group of miners and completely covering them.

What We Know So Far

More than 100 bodies have been recovered from the collapse, confirmed Gervais Ganagoroh, a Red Cross volunteer involved in the relief effort, speaking to the Associated Press. A senior official at a local mining association verified that number to Reuters.

But the exact number of people who were in the mine at the time remains unknown — and authorities warn the death toll is expected to rise significantly as rescue efforts continue.

"The ground completely collapsed and buried people," Cedric Mbango, a miner at the site, told AFP, describing the incident as "catastrophic."

The Cause

A local prosecutor said the disaster was caused by "the collapse of several underground tunnels in which miners were operating." The statement added that many others remain trapped under the deluge.

Rescuers are using heavy machinery, including tractors, to retrieve bodies and search for survivors. However, local news outlet Corbeau News reported concerns that the heavy equipment could jeopardise the chances of finding anyone still alive beneath the landmass.

A Desperate Search For Survivors

The victims are believed to be nationals of both the Central African Republic and neighbouring Cameroon. Authorities in Cameroon's Eastern region confirmed that at least three of its citizens have been identified among the dead.

Grégoire Mvongo, the region's governor, said he was "working in close collaboration with our Central African colleagues to deal with the aftermath of this tragedy."

Bertrand Be Yangué, a member of the Zamboye youth council, expressed little hope for those still missing. "Finding them alive would be a miracle," he said. "We are saddened and heartbroken to see young men and women perish after coming to the mines to save their families from despair."

Why This Keeps Happening

Small-scale artisanal mines are common across different parts of Africa, despite regulations criminalising them. Unemployment continues to drive people to abandoned or unused mines to try to make a living — but these sites often operate with weak or non-existent safety standards.

The result is repeated tragedy. The Guardian reports that at least 40 people have died in several mining incidents in the Central African Republic this year alone.

What Happens Next

Local media in CAR reported that authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. A second prosecutor from Baboua told the press they are examining the circumstances that led to the collapse.

Meanwhile, rescue efforts continue — though with each passing hour, the chances of finding survivors grow slimmer.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangerous conditions faced by artisanal miners across the continent, and the desperate economic circumstances that drive people to risk their lives in unregulated mining operations.

Do you think more needs to be done to regulate artisanal mining and protect workers? Share your thoughts below.

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Sources:

• The Guardian: More than 100 dead after goldmine collapses in Central African Republic