Six More Bodies Recovered as Rescue Efforts Continue in South African Mine

In a tragic development at a disused mine in South Africa, six more bodies have been recovered as rescuers strive to locate illegal miners believed to be trapped over 2 kilometers below. With the death toll rising and harrowing footage shared by trade unions, calls for intervention and assistance have intensified as the community grapples with the grim aftermath of a relentless mining crackdown.

Six more bodies have been brought to the surface from a South African mine as rescue operations continue for the second consecutive day, according to Sanco, a national NGO umbrella body. On Tuesday, rescuers managed to bring up eight men alive, adding to the 26 survivors extracted on Monday. This operation has been underway following police crackdowns on illicit mining, which began last year, and has led to concerns for the safety of many still believed to be trapped more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) underground.

Last week, a court ruling mandated the government to facilitate rescue efforts that had faced delays until now. The operations are taking place at a closed gold mine located about 145 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Johannesburg, amid troubling reports of increased fatalities amongst illegal miners, known as "zama zamas."

Authorities have previously enforced stringent measures against those illegally mining in the area, denying food and water supplies to those found underground. A notable statement from a government minister indicated a firm stance against the miners, asserting, "We are going to smoke them out." Reports suggest that over 100 miners may have died underground since the crackdown started, though this figure remains unverified by official sources.

Disturbing videos have surfaced, showing the dire conditions underground, with some footage depicting bodies wrapped in makeshift bags and others illustrating emaciated figures of trapped miners. In a video shared by the General Industries Workers of South Africa (Giwusa), desperate miners can be seen pleading for food and assistance, with one individual claiming that hunger has led to numerous fatalities.

Giwusa's leadership and community representatives have described the situation as a "Stilfontein massacre," criticizing the government's policies for exacerbating the tragedy. They characterize the circumstances of the miners as a result of deliberate negligence.

The department of mineral resources is leading the ongoing rescue effort, utilizing a specialized cage to transport people to the surface. This structure operates on an hourly schedule, allowing for the extrication of miners. However, despite the ongoing efforts, many more remain unaccounted for within the depths of the mine as rescue operations continue.