MINE DISASTER: Gold Mine Collapse in Central African Republic Kills at Least 107

A devastating collapse at an artisanal gold mine in Zamboye, Central African Republic, has killed at least 107 miners, according to reports from the scene. The disaster struck on August 18-19, 2026, when a landslide triggered the sudden failure of the unregulated open-pit site. Hundreds of workers had been laboring in low-tech tunnels when the ground gave way. Rescue operations continue as the death toll is expected to rise.

Footage circulating from the area shows the terrifying moment the mine collapsed, with earth and debris cascading into the workings. The site, located near the Cameroon border, operated without modern safety standards or heavy equipment. Miners relied on basic tools and informal structures that proved no match for the landslide. The scale of the collapse left little chance for many of those trapped inside.

Rescue teams have recovered dozens of bodies while searching through the unstable debris with limited resources. The remote location and lack of specialized gear have slowed the effort to locate any remaining survivors. Local authorities and volunteers are working under difficult conditions as the full human cost becomes clearer. Families of the missing wait for news amid the ongoing recovery.

The Zamboye disaster highlights the extreme risks faced by artisanal miners in unregulated operations across the region. With more than 100 confirmed dead and searches still underway, the incident ranks among the deadliest mining accidents in recent years. Efforts now focus on recovering the remaining victims and determining how such a large-scale collapse unfolded so suddenly.