
Stilfontein – The grim recovery operations at shaft 11 in Stilfontein, North West, resumed on Wednesday, with an additional 18 bodies being retrieved from the depths.
Since the operation began on Monday, a total of 78 bodies have been lifted from over 2 km underground utilizing a specialized cage.
In a recent update regarding the rescue, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe remarked: “As of 16:00 on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 84 living illegal miners have been successfully saved.”
“All 84 individuals have been detained. Regrettably, 18 have been confirmed deceased.”
Brigadier Mathe disclosed the following statistics by 4:00 p.m. on the third day of the operations:
From Monday to Wednesday:
- 216 illegal miners were rescued
- 78 bodies were recovered
At least five pathology trucks were observed near the shaft, indicating that more bodies may still be discovered.
Stay tuned for further updates…