(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – At least 14 people have been killed in a collapse at an illegal gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an official says.
Government minister Steve Mbikayi said a further three people had been taken to hospital with serious injuries. Search efforts are continuing.
The accident occurred at a mine in the town of Kampene on Wednesday.
Accidents are common in DR Congo’s informal mining sector which has poor safety standards.
Mr Mbikayi said in a tweet that the death toll from Wednesday’s accident was provisional.