The footage captures the moment the ground suddenly gives way at the Zamboye artisanal gold mine, engulfing people gathered nearby. Freddy Metchoubatchou was on site when the landslide struck on 18 August and filmed the collapse from close range. The mine is in Nana-Mambéré prefecture, about 50 kilometres from Baboua near the Cameroonian border. Prosecutors in Baboua said several underground tunnels may have collapsed, causing the disaster.

Rescue workers were still searching for victims on 21 August, but the number of people underground at the time remains unknown. Recovery efforts have been hampered by limited equipment and expertise.

Local officials, Red Cross volunteers and mining representatives initially reported more than 100 deaths. The Mines Ministry later gave a provisional official toll of 49, including 34 Central African nationals, 13 Cameroonians and two Chadians. Seven injured people were taken to hospital in Baboua.

Authorities have temporarily closed the mine and opened a judicial investigation into the cause of the collapse and possible breaches of mining regulations, including illegal mining and concealed employment.

Artisanal mining is a vital source of income for thousands of people in the Central African Republic, but many sites operate with limited safety equipment, structural reinforcement and emergency-rescue capacity. The disaster follows another deadly mine collapse near the Cameroonian border in June.