At least 32 people have died after a bridge at a copper and cobalt mine in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo collapsed under heavy overcrowding, regional authorities confirmed on Sunday. The incident adds to ongoing concerns about safety standards in one of the world’s most mineral-rich but high-risk mining regions.
Local officials report that the bridge gave way as a large number of workers and community members attempted to cross simultaneously, triggering a fatal fall into the gorge below. Emergency teams retrieved dozens of bodies, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise as search operations continue.
The collapse occurred in a region that hosts some of the DRC’s largest cobalt and copper deposits, critical minerals for global electric-vehicle supply chains. Despite the sector’s economic importance, mining communities have long faced inadequate infrastructure, weak regulatory enforcement, and frequent safety lapses.
Regional officials have called for an immediate investigation to determine whether the mine operators complied with safety rules, structural maintenance requirements, and crowd-control measures. Civil society groups in the region are also demanding accountability and improved protection for workers and residents who depend on mining sites for daily economic activity.
The tragedy has intensified pressure on both government and mining companies to reinforce safety protocols, upgrade aging mine infrastructure, and ensure that high-traffic areas, including bridges, tunnels and access routes, meet basic engineering standards.
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