At least 28 people ​were killed when a landslide ‌struck an illegal gold ​mining site ⁠in Angola’s northwestern Bengo province, local authorities said, in one of ‌the country’s deadliest illegal mining accidents.

Four ‌people were rescued ‌from ⁠the site, the ⁠province’s civil protection and fire service added in a statement ​on Sunday (May 25, 2026), adding ‌that search operations had been completed.

The deceased from Saturday’s (May 23, 2026) accident were ‌aged between 16 and ​35 years old, authorities said.

Illegal mining ⁠in Angola had historically been associated with the diamond ‌industry. But the country’s mining diversification drive has fuelled a boom in artisanal mining of other metals such ‌as gold.

Angola, a major diamond ​producer, is diversifying into metals such as ⁠copper and gold as diamond ⁠prices fall and synthetic diamonds rise.