After an extensive rescue operation, authorities and volunteers announced there are no longer any illegal miners trapped in a gold mine in South Africa, following the retrieval of 78 bodies and over 200 survivors since Monday.
Tragedy Resolved: No More Miners Trapped Underground in South Africa
Tragedy Resolved: No More Miners Trapped Underground in South Africa
Recent rescue efforts at a South African gold mine have concluded, with no illegal miners believed to be trapped underground.
In a significant development, volunteers working alongside rescue teams have confirmed that no illegal miners are currently trapped underground at the gold mine in South Africa. This announcement comes after a harrowing week wherein at least 78 bodies and over 200 survivors were extricated since the commencement of rescue operations following a court mandate on Monday.
The rescue operation gained momentum after a standoff that began in November, spawning intense public outcry against government measures aimed at halting illegal mining. Authorities had previously mandated the arrest of any miner who surfaced, leading to fears among miners of betrayal and capture.
Authorities are still verifying this status, with a rescue cage scheduled to descend into the mine shaft on Thursday to further confirm that no one remains underground. A spokesperson for the South African Police Service noted that while volunteers assert no individuals are left down below, the verification relies heavily on the Mine Rescue Service's advanced equipment, which is set to provide vital insights into the underground situation.
The mine, located in Stilfontein, around 145 kilometers from Johannesburg, had been perilously occupied by miners controlled by violent gangs as many commercial mining operations have ceased after becoming economically unsustainable over the last three decades.
Survivors, some of whom were trapped for over two months, are now receiving medical treatment but will face legal repercussions for illegal mining activities. Mines Minister Gwede Mantashe condemned the illegal operations as detrimental to the economy, emphasizing the significant economic reliance on miners from neighboring countries such as Lesotho and Mozambique.
The recent events have spotlighted the harsh realities of illegal mining and its associated dangers, highlighting the humanitarian issue entwined with stringent government policies aimed at stemming this illicit trade in South Africa.
