Nine die as mine collapses in Katanga

Nine miners died and several others are still missing following the collapse of a uranium mine on Friday in Skinkolobwe, Katanga Province, southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Mwema Teli, an agent for the department of hygiene and workers' security in the field of mining, a Congolese organisation fighting the exploitation of minors in the region, said six survivors had been pulled from the rubble.

Teli, who arrived at the scene one hour after the collapse, said several other miners remained buried in the rubble.

One miner, who declined to be named, told IRIN on Monday that about 30 people remained trapped inside the mine.

The DRC government closed the Shikolbwe mine in February. However, a number of freelance miners continued to work the mine illegally.