Bodies Found in Abandoned South African Gold Mine Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

 Bodies Found in Abandoned South African Gold Mine Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

At least 100 people have died after being trapped for months in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa. The victims are believed to have succumbed to starvation and dehydration, according to a report from a team representing mineworkers on Monday, January 13. The story was reported by AP and the South China Morning Post.

The team also revealed that over 500 workers remain trapped inside the mine as police continue efforts to rescue them.

Details of the incident show that tensions between South African police and miners began about two months ago, prompting authorities to seal the mine and attempt to evacuate the workers.
However, the police stated that the miners, fearing arrest, refused to leave the site and remained underground, leading to this tragic outcome.

A spokesperson for the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), Sabelo Mnguni, revealed that a mobile phone recovered from one of the rescued miners contained disturbing footage.

In one video, bodies wrapped in bags could be seen, while another showed injured miners, some still alive but in critical condition. However, the BBC has been unable to verify the authenticity of the videos.

The General Industries Workers of South Africa (GIWUSA), a trade union, released its own footage showing shirtless men sitting on a dirty floor, with their faces blurred. In the background, a voice can be heard saying, “We are starving, and we need help.”

In another video, a man is heard stating that people are dying from hunger inside the mine. He reported 96 deaths and appealed for food and emergency assistance.

The trade union confirmed that the video was recorded last Saturday. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources, which is leading the rescue efforts, stated that operations are ongoing.

On Monday, a cage was lowered into the mine to bring trapped miners to the surface. Authorities remain focused on the rescue mission, but the scale of the tragedy has drawn widespread attention.

The BBC reports that hundreds of miners are still trapped underground, and the situation remains dire.