A tragic landslide at an illegal mining site in the Central African Republic has reportedly claimed dozens of lives, with many victims still trapped beneath the rubble as rescue efforts continue.

Several dozen people have reportedly died after a landslide struck an illegal mining site near the Cameroon border in the Central African Republic, according to local sources and officials quoted by cbinews.tv.

The incident happened on May 6 at the remote Be-Mbari mining site in Nana-Mambere prefecture, western CAR. Residents say many bodies are still buried underground while search operations continue.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the tragedy, but mining activities at the site have been suspended.

The Central African Republic is rich in minerals including gold, diamonds, uranium and lithium, attracting operators from countries such as China, Russia, the United States and France. However, illegal artisanal mining remains widespread, especially in areas outside government control.

Media outlet Radio Ndeke Luka reported that poor enforcement of mining regulations and lack of state oversight have contributed to repeated disasters in mining communities.

This is not the first deadly incident linked to illegal mining in the country.

In March, seven people died in a landslide at a mine in Ngourroum, while another 20 were killed in Gordi in February.

Researcher Aicha Pemboura says although artisanal mining is regulated in CAR, many miners continue to operate without permits or outside official channels.

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