Government officials in the Central African Republic have ordered the temporary closure of an artisanal gold mine situated near the border with Cameroon. The decision follows a catastrophic landslide at the Zamboye mining site earlier this week, which buried workers under a mass of mud and debris.
Mines Minister Rufin Benam-Beltoungou confirmed that the official death toll stands at 49, comprising 34 Central African nationals, 13 Cameroonians, and two Chadians. However, local reports suggest the actual number of fatalities could be as high as 100. Seven survivors were transported to a medical facility in Baboua, located approximately 50 kilometres from the site, to receive treatment for their injuries.
Rescue efforts have been significantly hampered by heavy rainfall, which caused flooding across the area and triggered concerns regarding further instability at the pit. Video footage captured at the scene depicted a massive surge of earth and water sweeping through the open-pit operation, while onlookers observed the recovery mission.
In response to the tragedy, authorities have restricted access to the Kadei River site and deployed security personnel to maintain order. The incident has intensified scrutiny regarding safety standards in the nation’s informal mining sector, where oversight remains limited. This disaster follows a similar collapse in the same border region last June that also resulted in multiple fatalities. The report also notes that dubai: Authorities in the Central African Republic have temporarily closed an artisanal gold mine near the Cameroon border after a landslide killed at least 49 people, while local sources put the toll at around 100. The report also notes that one killed, five injured in rockfall at gold mine.