Goma, 20 May 2013 – A hundred diggers and villagers were buried following deadly landslide Thursday 16 May 2013 in a mining zone in Masisi. The accident happened six kilometers from Rubaya, a locality situated between Koyi and Nvuguto, an area with highly steep hills, accessible only on foot. MONUSCO team, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo travelled to the scene of the tragedy to assess the situation and brought first-aid kits.

Unable to find a runway for its helicopters, MONUSCO evaluation team drove to Rubaya on Saturday morning, 18 May, escorted by peacekeepers. On their arrival, the team was briefed by local administrative and military authorities before moving to the scene of the accident, one-hour walk from Rubaya. The team noted that the landslide affected the two hills that overhang the artisanal mine covering the mining quarry, a water supply point and a market where villagers and diggers were getting supplies. The landslide was caused by waters from two waterways criss-crossing the hills. According to testimonies collected on the spot "there was a landslide of large portion of land like volcano lava, making impossible any attempt to save lives." The population of the neighboring villages appealed to the international community to help them relocate and construct a new water source.
When leaving the scene of the tragedy, MONUSCO team leader expressed their deep sympathy and urged local authorities to fight artisanal exploitation on lands made weak as a result of deforestation. Addressing national Police and Congolese armed forces, MONUSCO team advised them to set up security mechanism to avert further artisanal mineral exploitation in the disaster-stricken zone.
Following proliferation of unregulated mining quarries in this territory, MONUSCO as part of its stabilization programme decided to build in 2011 a mineral trading counter in Rubaya to monitor minerals' exploitation and traceability. Unfortunately continued insecurity affecting the mineral-rich territory of Masisi has slowed down the project.

Clara Padovan/ MONUSCO