Muisa stated that among the dead are miners, children, and local traders, adding that "more than 200 people have become victims of this landslide." Some of the injured were rescued at the last moment; however, they sustained serious injuries, and details about their condition have not yet been disclosed. The governor's advisor confirmed the casualty figure, which currently stands at 227, and clarifications are ongoing.
The collapse occurred at the Rubaya mine, which is involved in the extraction of coltan—a metallic ore that accounts for about 15% of the world's production of this mineral. Coltan is processed into tantalum, a high-tech material used in the production of smartphones, computers, aerospace components, and gas turbines.
Since 2024, the mine has been under the control of the rebel group M23 ("March 23 Movement"), which operates in the DRC. The United Nations accuses M23 of funding its rebellion through revenues from mineral extraction, while Rwanda, which is accused of supporting the group, denies these allegations.
