Rescue operations at a disused mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, continued for a second day, with six more bodies being pulled from the depths, according to the South African National Council of NGOs (Sanco).
This adds to the grim toll as authorities battle to rescue dozens of illegal miners trapped 2km underground.
Eight miners were rescued alive on Tuesday, bringing the total number of survivors to 34, following 26 rescues on Monday. Nine bodies were recovered on the same day, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by the miners, who had been underground since a crackdown on illicit mining began last year.
The miners, known as “zama zamas,” are believed to have entered the shaft without permission, and despite initial government attempts to block food and water supplies to discourage their activities, the situation has grown increasingly dire. Disturbing videos have surfaced, showing emaciated survivors and corpses wrapped in makeshift body bags.
While over 100 illegal miners are reportedly dead in the mine since the crackdown began, authorities have yet to verify this figure. Rescue operations are ongoing, with more than 1,000 miners having surfaced in recent months. The government is under pressure to facilitate a full-scale rescue, following a court order to address the delayed efforts.
