JOHANNESBURG, Jan 15 — At least 60 bodies have been recovered from a closed gold mine in Stilfontein, located 150 kilometers from Johannesburg, after a prolonged operation targeting illegal miners. The bodies were found deep within the mine shaft, more than 2 kilometers underground. Authorities fear that more individuals remain trapped.
The recovery operation, which began on Monday, involved using a metal cage to retrieve miners and bodies. South African Police Minister Senzo Mchunu stated, “We are focusing on getting them, assisting them out,” though it remains unclear how many are still trapped inside.
By Tuesday night, authorities had retrieved 51 bodies, with nine found the day before. In addition, 106 survivors were rescued and arrested on charges of illegal mining. The total number of arrests now stands at 132.
Illegal mining in South Africa, particularly in abandoned gold mines, has been an ongoing issue. These operations, often carried out by unlicensed miners, have led to significant losses in revenue for both the government and the mining industry.
