Lomera, a remote village in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is reeling from a tragic mine collapse that has left scores of miners trapped underground. The incident occurred over the weekend amid a modern-day gold rush that had drawn thousands of artisanal miners to the area in recent months.

The collapse happened as informal miners were digging into unstable shafts in search of gold. According to local sources, several mine shafts gave way, burying many workers alive. Although the exact number of victims remains unknown, witnesses report hearing the voices of trapped miners from beneath the rubble, sparking frantic rescue efforts.

Rescue operations are being carried out with rudimentary tools by villagers and local volunteers, with no heavy machinery available in the area. The ongoing insecurity in the region, controlled by the M23 rebel group, has severely limited access to proper rescue resources and humanitarian aid. Despite these obstacles, food, water, and medical supplies have begun to reach the area through local humanitarian efforts.

Since the discovery of gold in Lomera in December 2024, the village has been overwhelmed by a wave of artisanal miners. The lack of regulation and oversight, especially under rebel control, has led to dangerous mining practices. Shafts are often dug without any engineering support or safety standards, creating conditions ripe for disaster.

The M23 group's presence has further complicated the situation. The rebels, who have held control over Lomera and surrounding areas since early 2025, reportedly benefit from the illegal gold trade. This has made the region a hotspot for unregulated mining activity, drawing desperate individuals from across the province despite the risks.

This tragedy has reignited calls for stronger regulation of artisanal mining in the Congo, where mineral wealth often fuels conflict rather than development. It has also raised concerns about the safety and human rights of those involved in informal mining, including reports of child labor and exploitation.

With the rescue efforts still underway and the full scale of the disaster yet to be confirmed, Lomera has become a grim symbol of the peril that shadows Congo’s gold rush. Aid agencies and international observers continue to monitor the situation, calling for unhindered humanitarian access and long-term solutions to ensure safer mining conditions in the region.