A rescue operation at a gold mine in South Africa has revealed the harrowing conditions miners endured for over two months, leading to the deaths of at least 78 and prompting widespread criticism of the government's handling of the situation.
Rescuers and volunteers have painstakingly pulled at least 78 deceased miners and more than 160 survivors from the depths of an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa. These individuals had been trapped underground for over two months, caught in a desperate standoff with authorities who demanded their surrender due to illegal mining activities.
The tragedy has ignited fierce criticism towards the South African government's handling of the situation, particularly its decision to attempt a 'smoke them out' strategy by temporarily cutting off food and essential supplies. Civic groups assert that authorities further escalated the crisis by removing the ropes and pulley systems crucial for miners to ascend and descend shafts, as well as for delivering supplies. They argue that this government-led inaction effectively condemned scores of miners to a slow and agonizing death from starvation or dehydration. While a rescue operation is now underway, complying with a court order, the process is painfully slow. Only a handful of miners can be extracted at a time due to the mine's perilous depths, and the entire operation is projected to take a minimum of 10 days.Forensic experts diligently carry body remains in blue body bags, while a specialist mining rescue company utilizes a small cage dropped thousands of meters into the mine to retrieve survivors and bodies. However, the specialist team refrains from entering the shaft themselves, deeming it too perilous. Instead, community volunteers bravely descend into the depths to assist the trapped miners. South African authorities maintain that the miners always had the option to exit through another shaft at the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, renowned as one of the deepest in the mineral-rich nation.However, activists vehemently counter this claim, emphasizing the treacherous journey involved, which could take days for some, and the dire physical condition of many miners after months of confinement with limited food and water. Police acknowledge that some miners initially refused to emerge, while community groups report an additional nine bodies recovered on Friday, along with an unconfirmed number retrieved in the preceding weeks when community members attempted their own rescue efforts.The mine, a labyrinthine network of shafts, levels, and tunnels spanning 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) in depth, harbored numerous groups of miners in various locations. A representative group representing the trapped miners estimates that over 500 individuals were underground when the official rescue operation commenced. While the precise duration of their subterranean ordeal remains unclear, relatives indicate that some have been trapped since July. Police reported Wednesday that 78 bodies have been recovered thus far, with 166 survivors brought to safety since the official rescue operation's initiation. Authorities contend that over 1,000 miners escaped the mine before the rescue operation, fearful of arrest, and they assert that all those who have emerged, both before and after the rescue, will face charges of illegal mining and trespassing. During the crackdown, authorities seized gold, explosives, firearms, and over $2 million in cash from the miners. Adding to the government's woes, a civic group representing the miners released two videos over the weekend, purportedly showing the horrific conditions underground. The videos, captured on a cellphone retrieved from the mine by one of the miners, are accompanied by a note urging viewers to witness their grim reality. The footage depicts dozens of bodies, seemingly deceased, lined up in a darkened cavern, wrapped in plastic. It also captures shirtless, emaciated miners pleading for help, stating they are dying and desperately begging authorities to provide them with food and facilitate their escape. Authorities are facing mounting criticism, particularly regarding their tactics last year when they cut off food and essential supplies to the trapped miners for a period of time. This 'smoke them out' strategy, as a South African Cabinet minister termed it, was met with condemnation from rights groups who accused authorities of contributing to a 'massacre' at the mine. Community members have also gathered at the mine, holding placards denouncing the government's actions
SOUTH AFRICA MINE DISASTER RESCUE OPERATION ILLEGAL MINING GOVERNMENT CRITICISM HUMAN RIGHTS
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South African Police End Mine Rescue, 78 Bodies RecoveredSouth African police have concluded a rescue operation at an abandoned gold mine, recovering 78 bodies and rescuing over 240 miners who had been trapped for months while working illegally. The operation, which began Monday following a court order, ended sooner than expected after police said they believed all survivors and bodies had been accounted for.
Read more »
Gravelotte emerald mine, South AfricaGem Resources has successfully completed the refurbishment and upgrades to the processing plant.
Read more »
At Least 100 Die in South Africa's Abandoned MineAt least 100 people have died after being trapped for months while mining illegally in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa. A group representing the miners said videos sent to the surface showed dozens of bodies wrapped in plastic. Police launched an operation in November to force the miners out but the operation was hampered. Rescue efforts resumed on Monday.
Read more »
At least 100 illegal miners have died while trapped in a South African mine, group saysJOHANNESBURG (AP) — At least 100 people who were mining illegally in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa have died after being trapped deep underground for months while police tried to get them out, a group representing the miners said Monday.
Read more »
100 Miners Dead in Abandoned South African Gold Mine, Hundreds Still TrappedMore than 100 illegal miners have died of starvation and dehydration in an abandoned South African gold mine, while hundreds more remain trapped. The tragedy occurred as police attempted to force the miners out, raising questions about the methods used and the government's handling of the situation.
Read more »
Rescuers bring out survivors, dead from South African mine as hundreds remain undergroundPolice say at least 24 bodies and 37 survivors have been brought out of the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine since Friday, but more than 500 are still believed to be underground, many of them ill and starving
Read more »