More than 40 people were killed late Tuesday in a diamond mine collapse in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, local authorities confirmed Thursday.

The incident took place in the town of Samba in central Kasai province. At least six bodies have been found and the search continues for others, Xinhua reported, quoting Alain Tshisungu Ntumba, interior minister of Kasai.

The victims were artisanal diamond diggers operating in underground wells, the minister said, adding that the collapse had affected over 40 wells with a depth of 15 to 18 meters.