– ZAMBOYE
A landslide at an artisanal gold mine in Zamboye located in the western Central African Republic near the border with Cameroon killed more than 100 people on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The collapse of underground tunnels caused the ground to give way, burying the miners who were on-site.
By August 19, local authorities, a Red Cross volunteer, and a representative from a mining association confirmed the recovery of over 100 bodies. Search teams continued to scour the area for missing persons, anticipating that the death toll would rise. Survivors received medical attention in the nearby town of Baboua.
As of Thursday, August 20, the chances of finding further survivors had diminished significantly. Rescue teams continued to recover bodies, a Red Cross volunteer reported that more than 10 bodies were found on Thursday morning alone and that additional remains were being discovered by the hour. Local workers noted that the response efforts lacked adequate equipment and expertise. The Minister of Mines expressed his condolences and warned of the dangers associated with unsafe mining practices.
Cameroonian authorities confirmed that some of the victims were citizens of their country and offered their support. The prosecutor in Baboua has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident and identify the mine's operator. Artisanal mining is often characterized by poor safety standards, and this incident adds to a series of similar accidents in the region.