Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


24 Killed in DR Congo Gold Mine Collapse

Agence France-Presse

   BUNIA, DRC - Twenty-four people were killed when a landslide engulfed a
   gold mine in DR Congo's eastern Ituri province after days of torrential
   rain battered the region, an official said Sunday.

   "Our teams on the ground ... have pulled out 24 bodies and saved two
   people," provincial minister of mining Dieudonne Apasa told AFP. As
   rescuer workers were still searching, the toll could rise, he said.

   "The incident happened yesterday between 5:30 pm (1530 GMT) and 6:00
   pm. They were taken by surprise by a landslide, which engulfed them,"
   Apasa added.

   "The almost daily rains that have been falling recently on the region
   are the main cause of this landslide."

.