At least 13 people were killed and dozens remain missing after a landslide struck a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo early Tuesday.
The disaster occurred around 1 a.m. in Burutsi village, located in North Kivu province, after several hours of intense rainfall.
Homes were buried as residents slept, and access to the area was severely disrupted by the collapse.
Local authorities said the toll could rise as search efforts continue under difficult conditions.
Witnesses said the landslide followed prolonged heavy rain that destabilized an entire hillside above Burutsi.
“Nature acted terribly, and the entire hillside collapsed into the village of Burutsi while ... people were asleep,” Descarte Akilimali, the sector chief of the Burutsi area, said.
Residents and local officials have so far recovered 13 bodies from the debris, including four children.
More than 30 people are still unaccounted for, with some reports placing the number of missing at around 40.
Villagers from Burutsi and nearby communities have joined rescue efforts, digging through mud and rubble by hand.
The landslide cut off the main road linking the regional hub of Goma with the provincial capital, Walikale.
Officials said the road closure has significantly hampered the ability of authorities to deliver assistance.
Local leaders have appealed to the government for emergency support as conditions on the ground remain unstable.
The disaster struck a region already under severe strain from prolonged insecurity and humanitarian pressure.
North Kivu has for decades been affected by fighting between government forces and numerous armed groups.
Walikale territory was captured last year during an offensive by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and continues to experience violence.
More than 100 armed groups are active across mineral-rich eastern Congo, particularly near the Rwandan border.
The ongoing conflict has displaced more than 7 million people, according to officials.
Earlier this year, M23 seized Goma and Bukavu in a major escalation of hostilities.
Aid access across the region has been repeatedly disrupted by insecurity and damaged infrastructure.
The landslide has compounded existing challenges for communities already facing displacement, violence, and limited state presence.