A rescue operation at an abandoned gold mine in South Africa has recovered at least 60 bodies, following months of a standoff with hundreds of illegal miners trapped underground. Authorities cut off food and water supplies in an attempt to force the miners to the surface, sparking criticism from human rights groups. The operation is expected to take weeks.
At least 60 bodies have been recovered from an abandoned gold mine in South Africa 's northeast, according to local police. The grim discovery comes months after authorities launched an operation to remove hundreds of illegal miners from the Stilfontein mine. The miners, who were reportedly trapped underground for months, had their food and water supplies cut off in an attempt to force them to the surface.
The rescue operation, which began on Monday, is expected to take weeks due to the use of a cage that can only accommodate up to 10 people at a time. Police initially launched a siege on the mine in August, alleging the presence of at least 100 men illegally mining within its depths. Efforts to compel the miners to surface included cutting off their food and water supplies and dismantling their ropes and pulley systems. While authorities maintained that the miners could escape, representatives for the trapped miners disputed these claims, alleging that hundreds remained underground, suffering from hunger, illness, and dehydration. The miners' prolonged entrapment sparked outrage and criticism from human rights groups, who condemned the authorities' tactics as inhumane. They successfully secured a court order in December compelling the police to allow the resupply of food, water, and medicine to the trapped miners. Despite these efforts, the mine remains a perilous site, and the rescue operation continues with the somber task of recovering the remains of those who perished
Illegal Mining South Africa Mine Disaster Rescue Operation Human Rights
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