Tragic landslide in the Moku-Menze mining area in Watsa (Haut-Uele): five dead and nine survivors
On the afternoon of Thursday, November 23, 2023, a deadly landslide occurred in the Moku-Menze gold mining area, located in the Watsa territory, in the Haut-Uele province, in Democratic Republic of Congo. This disaster claimed the lives of at least five artisanal diggers, while nine others were injured.
According to information provided by local civil society, the landslide was caused by the sudden stopping of the engine which provided ventilation in the gold extraction galleries. This incident led to a critical loss of oxygen, trapping the artisanal diggers inside.
The nine survivors, seriously injured, were transported to the nearest health facilities to receive the necessary care. This tragedy highlights the precarious conditions in which many artisanal diggers work in the Congolese mining sector.
This tragedy reminds us of the importance of strengthening safety and protection measures for workers in artisanal mines. It is essential to raise awareness among diggers of the risks to which they are exposed and to put in place clear guidelines to prevent such accidents.
Furthermore, there is also an urgent need to strengthen monitoring of mining activities to combat illegal mining and unsafe working conditions. Congolese authorities must take concrete measures to improve safety in artisanal mines and guarantee the protection of workers.
This tragedy once again highlights the need to promote responsible mining that respects the environment and human rights. It is essential to put in place effective monitoring and regulatory mechanisms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The mining sector plays a crucial role in the DRC’s economy, but it is imperative not to sacrifice the safety and well-being of workers for the sake of profitability. Authorities and industry stakeholders must work together to ensure decent and safe working conditions for all mining workers.
In conclusion, this tragic landslide in the Moku-Menze mining area in Watsa is a terrible illustration of the dangers faced by artisanal diggers in Congolese mines. It is of utmost importance to improve the safety and protection of workers, as well as the regulation and supervision of the mining sector, in order to avoid such disasters in the future.
Sources:
– [Link to article 1](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/11/24/tour-dhorizon-de-lactualite-politique-en-afrique-elections-tragedies-et-entreprises-de- stabilization/)
– [Link to article 2](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/11/24/la-take-de-control-by-les-rebelles-du-m23-a-mweso-une-situation-preoccupante-et-urgent-dintervention-internationale/)
– [Link to article 3](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/11/24/la-treve-entre-israel-et-le-hamas-quels-entreprises-et-quel-impact/ )
– [Link to article 4](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/11/24/campagne-electorale-en-rdc-adolphe-muzito-salue-les-avancees-budgetaires-de-felix- tshisekedi-for-the-development-of-the-country/)
– [Link to article 5](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/11/24/la-marche-pour-legalite-des-droits-un-evenement-histoire-oubli-qui-resonne- still today/)
– [Link to article 6](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/11/24/les-defis-de-la-campagne-de-reelection-de-felix-tshisekedi-en-rdc- how-to-overcome-obstacles-for-an-assured-victory/)
– [Link to article 7](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/11/24/defis-et-victoire-les-membres-dopen-arms-acquittes-par-la-justice-italienne- a-step-against-the-criminalization-of-humanitarian-ships-in-the-Mediterranean/)
– [Link to article 8](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/11/24/denis-mukwege-celebre-gynecologue-se-presente-a-la-presidence-de-la-rdc- to-end-the-war-on-hunger-and-vice/)
– [Link to article 9](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/11/24/moise-katumbi-chapwe-le-candidat-audacieux-qui-bouscule-la-course-a-la- presidency-in-drc/)
– [Link to article 10](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/11/24/alarme-en-chine-la-hausse-preoccupante-des-entreprises-respiratoires-chez-les-enfants- arouses-concern-of-loms/)