Fifteen artisanal miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died after the diamond pit they were in collapsed due to heavy rain on January 5th. According to reports the search for an unknown number of missing miners was called off on January 7th, but the final death toll could exceed 100.%%Three people managed to escape the 15 metre deep trench, located near the town of Tshikapa in Western Kasai province, said the town’s mayor Mwamba Mutombo. Mine collapses are a common occurrence during the DRC’s wet season, it was reported.%%Mutombo added that the dead were probably teenagers who were hoping that the rains had uncovered more diamonds. All work at the mine has been suspended following the accident and two people in charge of the site have been arrested, Mutombo added.