Tragic Earthslide Claims Lives at Mayi-Musi Gold Mine in Djugu
A devastating earthslide at the Mayi-Musi mining site in Djugu, located approximately 100 kilometers from Bunia in Ituri province, resulted in the loss of four lives and injuries to three others.
According to local sources, the incident occurred on Sunday, April 21, 2024, around 5 p.m., shortly after a light rain. The mining site, which had been abandoned for many years, boasts at least seven gold shafts.
Eyewitness testimonies reveal that the seven victims, including four fatalities due to asphyxiation, were inside one of the gold shafts, approximately eight meters deep, when the landslide struck, burying them under rubble.
The injured victims were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital, as reported by witnesses at the scene. Among the victims were also three children who were clandestinely present in the mine, searching for gold nuggets.
Civil society actors and human rights activists have drawn attention to the precarious social conditions within the community, condemning the exploitation of children in mines.
The NGO Coalition Associatif Resolute for the Defense of Human Rights underscores that the challenging circumstances within the community drive children to seek employment in mines.
This tragic incident sheds light on the dangers faced by individuals working in mines, particularly children exploited in perilous conditions.
It also prompts questions regarding the responsibility of local authorities and stakeholders in the mining sector to safeguard workers’ rights and prevent such disasters.
