Dozens of workers were killed when a bridge collapsed at a cobalt mining site in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Footage shows desperate miners trying to rescue those trapped under debris, as another landslide struck and buried them further.

Lualaba province Interior Minister Roy Kaumba Mayonde confirmed on Sunday that the tragedy occurred at a Mulondo mining site in the Kawama area.

Officials reported that the miners had forced their way into the concession, which had been closed due to heavy rainfall and the risk of landslides.

The makeshift bridge, built by the miners to cross a security trench, reportedly failed under the pressure of the crowd, sending many people falling into the trench below. At least 49 people were killed.

A report by the DRC Ministry of Mines' Service for Assistance and Supervision of Artisanal and Small-scale Mining indicated that the incident could have been caused by mass panic, possibly set off by gunfire from military personnel guarding the site.

The military has not publicly responded to the allegation.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.