Thirty-two illegal miners die at Kalando mine bridge in Mulondo on Saturday November 17
A tragic incident occurred on Saturday at the Kalando mine in Mulondo, Lualaba province, in the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, when a bridge collapsed under a large group of illegal diggers. At least 32 people are reported to have died in the ensuing panic, with bodies found piled on top of each other. Officials have attributed the disaster to a combination of factors, including the miners disregarding the risks posed by heavy rain and the sounds of gunfire from soldiers, which reportedly triggered a stampede.
Key details of the incident
- Location: Kalando mine, Mulondo, Lualaba province, southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Date: Saturday, November 17, 2025.
- Event: Collapse of a mine bridge.
- Victims: At least 32 people, identified as illegal diggers.
- Circumstances: The bridge collapsed under the weight of a panicked crowd of miners. Bodies were reportedly found piled on each other.
- Causes cited by officials: Miners ignoring risks associated with heavy rain, and gunfire from soldiers triggering a stampede.
- Source of information: Reported by PSAFLIVE.
A summary of the tragic events
The southeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically the Lualaba province, has been the site of a devastating accident. On Saturday, November 17, 2025, a bridge at the Kalando mine in Mulondo gave way, leading to a significant loss of life. The bridge was reportedly overloaded with a crowd of illegal miners who were likely seeking valuable minerals. Amidst heavy rainfall, which may have weakened the structure or made conditions treacherous, the situation escalated. Reports suggest that gunfire from soldiers present at the mine also played a role, causing panic among the diggers and triggering a stampede. This chaotic surge of people on the bridge led to its collapse. Tragically, at least 32 individuals lost their lives, with harrowing accounts of bodies being found piled on each other in the aftermath. Authorities are pointing to the miners’ disregard for safety precautions, especially in adverse weather, and the unexpected noise of gunfire as the primary catalysts for this disaster.
Frequently asked questions
- Q1: What exactly happened at the Kalando mine?
A1: A bridge at the Kalando mine collapsed on Saturday, November 17, 2025, causing the deaths of at least 32 illegal miners. - Q2: Where did this incident take place?
A2: The incident occurred in Mulondo, Lualaba province, in the southeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. - Q3: Who was involved in the incident?
A3: The victims were illegal diggers at the mine. Soldiers were also present and their gunfire is believed to have contributed to the panic. - Q4: What are the official reasons for the bridge collapse?
A4: Officials have stated that the miners ignored the risks associated with heavy rain, and that gunfire from soldiers triggered a stampede, leading to the collapse. - Q5: How many people died?
A5: At least 32 people are reported to have died. - Q6: Is there any more information about mining accidents in this region?
A6: For more news and stories related to this region, you can visit https://www.cityofthohoyandou.co.za/category/news/.
