Congo: Mine shaft collapses – at least 60 dead

At least 60 people have died in northeast Congo after landslide caused a shaft to collapse at a gold mine.

The local miners were digging for gold in shafts up to 100 metres (110 yards) underground when the accident occurred on Monday in Mambasa territory in Orientale Province, said Simon Pierre Bolombo, the provincial head of mines.

Thousands of people in eastern Congo make a living in non-industrial mines, where accidents are common.

Mining companies AngloGold Ashanti and Randgold operate in the region, which is known to be rich in tin and gold, although the accident did not take place on either company’s concession, officials said.