The death toll at a disused gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, has climbed to 60 following a two-day operation to retrieve illegal miners, the South African Police Service (SAPS) announced on Wednesday.
According to a police statement, “On day two of operations, a total of 106 alive illegal miners were retrieved and arrested for illegal mining. Fifty-one were certified dead.” The previous day, authorities had removed nine bodies from the abandoned shaft.
The tragedy unfolded at an abandoned gold mine, highlighting the ongoing dangers associated with illegal mining in South Africa, where hazardous conditions and lack of safety regulations often result in fatalities.
During the operation, SAPS officers worked alongside rescue teams, using specialized equipment such as a Metalliferous Mobile Rescue Winder to access the dangerous underground shafts.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fatalities, with authorities emphasizing the need for stricter measures to curb illegal mining activities that pose severe risks to life and the environment.
