DR Congo mine collapse 'kills at least 20' Published duration 17 May 2013

At least 20 people were killed when a mine collapsed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the government says.

The miners were 30m (98ft) underground when the tunnel collapsed on Thursday near the village of Rubaye in the country's North Kivu province.

It reportedly followed heavy rain. Officials in the town of Masisi said rescuers had not yet started to dig for bodies on Friday.

Such accidents are common in DR Congo, where mines are often unregulated.

Dieudonne Shishuku, mayor of Masisi, told the BBC Great Lakes service that search teams were waiting for heavy equipment to arrive before beginning the digging operation.