Around 60 people have been killed in a mine collapse in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Foreign media, including AP and BBC, reported that the collapse occurred at Pangoyi, located in a remote northeast part of the country. Local residents were 100 meters below the surface to illegally mine gold when the cave-in happened.

Local officials say rescue attempts have been delayed since Pangoyi is controlled by militia members and is located in a dense jungle.

Mine collapses occur frequently in Congo while civilians illegally mine gold, or when the militia mobilizes residents to mine gold to raise capital for weapons.