Zama zama death toll rises, shaft may have flooded due to recent rains
Police discover two more bodies in open mine shaft
Image: Antonio Muchave
The death toll in the tragedy involving alleged illegal miners whose bodies were found “placed” in Krugersdorp on Wednesday has risen to 21, after the discovery of two more bodies by the police search and rescue team on Thursday morning.
The two were found in an open mine shaft not far from where 19 other bodies were discovered on Wednesday afternoon.
Police believe more bodies may be trapped underground as they continued their search along what is known as shaft 9.
Paramedics are also on site as police comb the area.
Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said Krugersdorp police were alerted to the 19 bodies at 3pm.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the deceased were moved and placed where they were discovered. No foul play is suspected and postmortems will determine the cause of death,” she said.
An inquest docket has been registered.
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