The death toll continues to rise after an explosion at a disused mine in the Free State which by Wednesday had claimed the lives of 29 illegal miners.
Late last week there was an underground explosion at the mine‚ previously owned by Harmony Gold that has subsequently been shut down.
Police said that by noon on Wednesday 29 bodies – of mostly foreign nationals – had been recovered. Survivors said more bodies were still underground.
- Twenty-four bodies recovered after blast at Welkom mineFree State police have confirmed that the bodies of 24 miners have been recovered from a mine in Welkom.
Free State police spokesman Major-General Lerato Molale said that 11 illegal miners who came out of a mine shaft while the bodies were being retrieved‚ had been arrested.
"Eleven illegal miners were arrested this morning. They are currently in police custody. They are saying that there are more bodies underground‚" said Molale.
- Miners in fight with giant firm over dumpIn a David vs Goliath scenario, a group of illegal miners has lodged a complaint against diamond mining group Ekapa for illegal mining.
Among the dead are Zimbabweans‚ Mozambicans and at least one Lesotho national. Operations to retrieve the bodies continue.
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