Death toll rises to 78 in South African mine tragedy: Video
Rescuers have recovered more bodies from a disused gold mine shaft in Stilfontein, where the death toll has climbed to 78 as of Wednesday.
Police confirmed the numbers as they continued to clear out illegal miners who had been trapped underground for months in the mine, located about 140 kilometres (90 miles) southwest of Johannesburg.
Efforts to rescue survivors and retrieve bodies began on Monday after local residents raised concerns that more than 100 people may have perished in the mine. So far, 246 people have been brought out alive, while 78 bodies have been recovered. The operation, which involved specialised machinery to lift miners and bodies from the 2.6-kilometre-deep shaft, is expected to conclude on Thursday.
The illegal miners, known locally as "zama zamas," or "those who try" in Zulu, often include migrants from neighbouring countries and are accused by residents of engaging in criminal activities. Months of tension between the miners and authorities escalated after police attempted to cut off food and water supplies in an effort to force the miners out.
The police strategy has faced criticism, with some accusing authorities of indirectly causing the deaths of miners. However, police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe rejected the allegations. "No one blocked any shaft. No one blocked anyone from getting out," she told the AFP. "But by providing food, water, and necessities to these illegal miners, it would be the police entertaining and allowing criminality to thrive."
During Wednesday's operations, all 84 miners who were rescued were immediately arrested, according to police.
Of the miners rescued so far, only five were South African, while the majority were migrants: 128 Mozambicans, 80 from Lesotho, and 33 Zimbabweans, according to Northwest Provincial Police Chief Patrick Asaneng.
