South African Police Lower Cage to Check for Survivors in Deadly Mine Collapse

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South African police have lowered a camera more than a mile underground at an illegal gold mine in Stilfontein to confirm whether any survivors or bodies remain after a deadly standoff that claimed at least 78 lives. The investigation follows a court-mandated rescue operation that lasted several days, resulting in 246 survivors being brought to the surface, many of whom were severely weakened and disoriented.

The illegal mining site had been under siege since August when authorities cut off food and water supplies to crack down on illegal mining activities. The government’s actions have sparked outrage, with trade unions condemning the tactics as “horrific” and accusing authorities of allowing miners to starve to death.

Two of the 78 deceased have been identified, but many of the miners were undocumented, and some bodies had already decomposed. Volunteers who had already inspected the mine reported no signs of life, but police decided to verify the information by using a cylindrical metal cage to conduct further checks.

As the operation continues, police are working to identify the leaders behind the illegal mining activities at the Stilfontein site, with arrests expected soon. Authorities defend their actions, stating that they are necessary to prevent crime and protect the economy, citing the $3 billion cost of the illicit gold trade in South Africa.

The government’s ongoing crackdown, dubbed “Close the Hole,” aims to dismantle illegal mining operations, many of which are run by violent criminal gangs. The miners, often referred to as “zama zamas,” are mostly undocumented individuals who venture into abandoned mines in search of leftover gold.

Despite the rising death toll, authorities remain committed to halting illegal mining, and nine survivors have been hospitalized for treatment under police guard.

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