Stilfontein Tragedy: Rescuers Recover More Bodies as Illegal Mining Crisis Deepens
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Rescue efforts at a disused South African gold mine in Stilfontein have recovered six more bodies, bringing the death toll to 15. The operation, now in its second day, has led to the rescue of 34 individuals. However, scores of illegal miners, known locally as “zama zamas,” are still trapped underground. Last year, Stilfontein authorities took a hard stance against illicit mining, intending to flush out those involved. To that end, they began blocking food and water supplies to the miners underground. However, a court last week ordered the authorities to facilitate a rescue operation for the miners who are still underground. On Monday, when the rescue operation began, disturbing videos emerged showing emaciated survivors of the blockade and corpses in makeshift body bags, highlighting the dire conditions. Consequently, community leaders and unions labeled the incident a “Stilfontein massacre” and accused officials of inhumane policies.
Source: BBC