More than 100 people have died after being trapped for months beneath an abandoned mine in South Africa.
The men had been illegally mining in an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, in the northwest of the country, when they became trapped during a standoff in November. Authorities surrounded the mine in an attempt to force them out and arrest them, with “a minimum of 100” said to have died after becoming trapped, fearing arrest if they emerged.
Reports surfaced on Monday that a mobile phone sent to the surface three days ago contained two videos showing dozens of bodies underground, wrapped in plastic. Sabelo Mnguni, a spokesman for the Mining Affected Communities United in Action Group, said the men died from starvation and dehydration.
Around 18 bodies have been recovered since Friday, Mr Mnguni told the Associated Press. Police spokesperson Brig. Sebata Mokgwabone said they were still verifying information regarding how many bodies had been recovered and how many survivors had been brought out, after launching a new rescue operation on Monday.