Rescue operations at a South African mine continue with the recovery of six more bodies, as efforts extend into a second day to assist numerous illegal miners believed to be trapped over 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) underground. The South African National Council of NGOs has reported the developments amid ongoing humanitarian concerns.
Eight individuals were rescued on Tuesday, following the extraction of 26 miners on Monday, using a crane-operated cage to bring them safely to the surface. Authorities have confirmed that nine bodies were recovered on Monday, highlighting the grave situation.
These miners have been underground since police intensified actions against illicit mining activities across the nation last year. A court ruling last week mandated the government to expedite rescue operations that had faced significant delays.
In a controversial move, authorities previously blocked food and water access to the illegal miners, arguing that they had entered the shaft in Stilfontein unlawfully. A government minister had infamously declared intentions to combat illegal mining operations aggressively.
Reports indicate that over 100 illegal miners, locally termed “zama zamas,” have perished underground amid the crackdown, though this number has not yet been officially confirmed.
Disturbing video footage has recently emerged showcasing the dire conditions within the abandoned mine. One video reportedly depicts corpses wrapped in makeshift bags, while another reveals the emaciated conditions of surviving miners desperate for assistance. Hundreds are presumed still trapped, even as more than 1,000 have been rescued in recent months.
In one video shared by a union representative, dozens of miners are seen in dire conditions, pleading for food and aid. “Please we need help,” a voice off-camera implores, shedding light on the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.
The union leaders describe the ongoing situation as a “Stilfontein massacre,” holding authorities accountable for what they label as a catastrophic policy failure. The department of mineral resources overseeing the rescue efforts confirmed that operations are ongoing, employing a specially designed cage capable of hoisting multiple individuals from the depths of the mine.
