In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a catastrophic bridge collapse at the Kalando mine in Mulondo, southeastern Congo, has claimed the lives of at least 32 individuals,an incident that no one should have to endure. This disaster, which unfolded last Saturday, has once again spotlighted the inherent dangers of illegal mining activities in a region rife with chaos.

Roy Kaumba Mayonde, the province's interior minister, took to the podium to deliver the grim news, emphasizing the irresponsible actions of illegal diggers who disregarded warnings about heavy rainfall and the imminent risk of landslides. “Despite clear prohibitions, they charged into the quarry,” he lamented, painting a vivid picture of recklessness amid a backdrop of tragedy.

Adding to the chaos, a report from Congo's Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Support and Guidance Service (SAEMAPE) revealed that soldiers at the site opened fire, triggering a mass panic among miners. Their desperate rush to escape led to a horrifying collapse of the bridge, leaving the victims “piled on top of each other”,a scene too tragic to bear. While Mayonde confirmed 32 deaths, rumors suggest the toll could soar to an unimaginable 40.

The presence of soldiers has sparked outrage, as disputes continue between wildcat miners, a cooperative struggling for control, and legal operators of the mine. This situation illustrates the murky depths of conflict that plague Congo's mining industry, a place where profits often come at an unthinkable price.

As the world's leading producer of cobalt,an essential mineral for electric vehicle batteries,Congo finds itself ensnared in a web of exploitation. With Chinese companies reaping the lion's share of cobalt production (a staggering 80%), ethical concerns loom large. The mining sector is tarnished by shocking allegations of child labor, perilous working conditions, and rampant corruption, raising alarms among human rights advocates and global watchdogs.

To make matters worse, the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo has been a battleground for decades, plagued by conflict involving government forces and armed groups, notably the Rwanda-backed M23. The resurgence of this group only adds fuel to the fire, deepening the humanitarian crisis that grips the area.

This bridge collapse is not just another statistic; it serves as a chilling testament to the relentless dangers miners face in their pursuit of wealth in Congo. In a race for valuable resources, the human cost is simply too high to ignore. Where is the accountability? Where is the compassion? The world must wake up to the crisis unfolding in Congo, where lives are deemed expendable in the quest for profit.