Tragic Rescue Efforts Continue at South African Gold Mine

Rescuers have retrieved six additional bodies from a South African mine deep underground, with efforts ongoing to save illegal miners trapped since operations against illicit mining began. Reports highlight a deteriorating crisis amid accusations against authorities for their harsh tactics.

Six more bodies were recovered Tuesday from a disused mine shaft in Stilfontein, South Africa, as rescue operations intensified for the numerous illegal miners believed to be trapped up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) below ground. According to the South African National Council of NGOs (Sanco), the situation remains dire as rescues continue for a second day.

On Monday, teams managed to hoist 26 miners back to the surface, with eight additional miners emerging alive on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the grim tally of nine bodies was also confirmed on Monday as part of ongoing recovery efforts. Many of these miners, colloquially known as "zama zamas," had been underground since law enforcement began targeted crackdowns on illicit mining practices last year.

A recent court ruling mandated that the government facilitate a much-anticipated rescue operation that had faced significant delays. Last year, authorities had adopted a severe approach towards miners entering the shaft illegally, cutting off food and water supplies, with one minister stating, "We are going to smoke them out."

The authorities did not verify claims that over 100 illegal miners had perished underground since the crackdown initiated, although reports circulating indicate the figure could be higher. Disturbing videos released earlier show graphic images of the situation in the mine, including corpses in makeshift body bags and malnourished miners pleading for help.

Reports suggest that hundreds more miners are still trapped within the abandoned mine. Recent footage by the General Industries Workers of South Africa (Giwusa) depicts shirtless men sitting on the floor, their faces blurred for privacy. One voice off-camera highlights that many are struggling with hunger and urgently require assistance.

In a poignant statement, Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei condemned the situation and referred to it as a “Stilfontein massacre,” criticizing the authorities’ deliberate policies that led to such tragic outcomes. The department of mineral resources has been overseeing ongoing rescue operations, employing a cage system to bring trapped miners to the surface at an hourly interval. This structure can accommodate six to seven individuals at a time based on their weight.

As rescue efforts continue amidst a humanitarian crisis, the future of those remaining underground remains uncertain, while calls for help grow increasingly desperate.