
Stilfontein – On Tuesday afternoon, authorities successfully rescued a minimum of 118 illegal miners from a deserted shaft in Stilfontein, North West.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the spokesperson for the South African Police Service, reported the shocking revelation of 27 bodies that have been recovered.
“In total, 83 illegal miners have been retrieved successfully… 56 of them are alive… 27 have been confirmed dead,” Brigadier Mathe stated.
On the operation’s first day, which was Monday, 35 illegal miners were recovered, with nine of them reported deceased.
RELATED: Stilfontein Rescue Begins: 26 Miners Rescued, 9 Bodies Retrieved – The Bulrushes
Brigadier Mathe added: “Today’s operation will proceed until 22:00.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe visited the site in Stilfontein.