The landslide of the Songambele mine in Rubaya, in North Kivu, has aroused strong emotions in the mining town. If the first reports mentioned a hundred deaths, the provincial government of North Kivu quickly published an official press release rectifying this false information.
Teams were sent to the scene to investigate the incident, and the official toll is one dead and three injured. These victims are artisanal diggers who were surprised by a landslide, despite the closure of the perimeter by the national ministry of mines.
The preservation of the environment and the fight against deforestation are part of the measures taken by the authorities to prevent such incidents. The mountains of Rubaya are bare, which makes the soil fragile and causes adverse consequences on the lives of the inhabitants of the region.
This disaster was reminiscent of flooding in the neighboring province of South Kivu, where several hundred people died and went missing in Bushushu and Nyamukubi in Kalehe territory.
It is important to remember that the preservation of nature and the safety of citizens are crucial issues. The authorities must continue to put in place sustainable policies to protect populations and avoid such tragedies.