Gold Mine Viral Video: Nearly 100 people who were doing illegal mining in a gold mine in South Africa died. The cause of these deaths is reportedly believed to be hunger and thirst, as these workers were stuck there for months. This information was given by Mining Affected Communities United in Action Group (MACUA), a group representing miners.
Sabelo Mnguni, a spokesman for the group, told The Associated Press that more than 500 miners were still trapped in the mine. Mnguni said the deaths at the mine came to light when a video sent by some of the remaining miners surfaced on Friday (January 10) showing hundreds of people suffering from hunger and thirst, many of whom were had died.
🇿🇦🚨 #BREAKING: At least 100 illegal miners have died in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa after being trapped underground for months!
According to Sabelo Mnguni, a spokesperson for the Mining Affected Communities United in Action Group, the miners, who were stuck in a… pic.twitter.com/iOCT8Lleh4
— TabZ (@TabZLIVE) January 13, 2025
100 miners died
According to Manguni, at least 100 miners have died in this mine in the North Western Province. The cause of death of these miners is believed to be hunger and lack of water. Since Friday (January 10), 18 bodies have been taken out from the mine, and rescue operations are underway. Nine bodies were recovered in a community-led rescue operation on Friday, while on Monday (13 January) an operation by authorities recovered nine more bodies, along with 26 survivors.
Police say action is ongoing
Police spokesperson Brigadier Sebata Mokgwabon informed that the police are still confirming how many bodies have been recovered. A new rescue operation has started on Monday, and it is expected that all the miners will be evacuated safely.
Prevalence and dangers of illegal mining
Illegal mining is common in many parts of South Africa, where informal miners illegally enter mines closed by companies in an attempt to discover remaining reserves. Clashes between police and miners at the Buffelsfontein gold mine, near Stilfontein, have been ongoing since November, when authorities attempted to expel the miners and seal off the mine.
Also read: Major accident in South Africa, 100 laborers trapped in gold mine died