Dozens Rescued, Bodies Recovered from Abandoned South African Mine

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Rescue operations at an abandoned gold mine near Stilfontein, South Africa, have led to the recovery of nine bodies and the rescue of over two dozen illegal miners, amid ongoing efforts to reach others trapped underground.

The rescue mission resumed on Monday with the deployment of a professional mine rescue team using a large cage to retrieve individuals from the shaft, located approximately 140 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Johannesburg.

Community leader Johannes Qankase confirmed that 26 people were rescued on Monday, most of whom were in dire condition. "They are very sick, very dehydrated. You can see they are nearly dying," he said. Many were rushed to the hospital, while two individuals are reportedly in police custody.

Weeks-Long Ordeal

The operation comes after weeks of mounting concerns at the abandoned mine, where claims emerged in mid-November suggesting up to 4,000 individuals were trapped underground. Authorities have since revised the number to a probable figure in the hundreds.

The government reported that over 1,000 people involved in illegal mining activity had surfaced and been apprehended in the area since the situation began.

Efforts to force the miners to surface by restricting food and water supplies had drawn criticism from local communities. Conditions underground were reported to be dire, with miners facing extreme hunger and dehydration.

Rising Death Toll

The latest recovery adds to a grim toll: six bodies were retrieved in December, and one in November. There are unverified claims that more than 100 corpses remain underground.

Locally referred to as "zama zamas," meaning "those who try" in Zulu, illegal miners often operate under hazardous conditions in South Africa's abandoned mines. They face arrest and accusations of criminality, especially when lacking proper documentation.

Government officials are expected to visit the site as recovery efforts continue, with the nation grappling with the human and legal complexities of illegal mining activities.