Miners trapped after 5.3 earthquake hits South Africa

05 August 2014 - 15:53
By Sapa
The Aurora Gold Mine in Orkney. File photo.
Image: Gallo Images / City Press / Herman Verwey The Aurora Gold Mine in Orkney. File photo.

Some mineworkers at Orkney in the North West were trapped following an earth tremor on Tuesday, said emergency workers.

ER24 spokeswoman Luyanda Majija said they had received reports that the tremor had had a significant impact on one mine.

"Our crew is heading to the mine where miners are reported to trapped at 11 shafts," said Majija.

She could not immediately confirm the name of the mine.

The United States Geological Survey reported said the tremor was a 5.3 magnitude earthquake.