Pope calls for safety and legality in mines after Central African Republic collapse

Pope Leo XIV has voiced his concern for the Central African Republic following a devastating collapse at an artisanal gold mine in Zamboye. The incident claimed the lives of approximately 100 people. The pontiff extended his condolences to the victims' families and urged a commitment to ensuring safety and legality at mining sites.

"I am also close to the population of the Central African Republic, who mourn the victims of the collapse that occurred in a mine in Zamboye," the Pope stated after the Sunday Angelus prayer. "May the Lord welcome those who have lost their lives and sustain the commitment to guarantee the safety and legality of mining sites."

The accident happened earlier this week in the western part of the country, in the Nana-Mambere sub-prefecture. A landslide buried the artisanal mine, trapping miners. Local authorities confirmed the high death toll, describing the event as "foreseeable" due to deep pit excavations conducted without adherence to safety regulations.

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I am also close to the population of the Central African Republic, who mourn the victims of the collapse that occurred in a mine in Zamboye. May the Lord welcome those who have lost their lives and sustain the commitment to guarantee the safety and legality of mining sites.