Trapped mine workers rescued

People have gathered at the gates leading to the mine and are praying for the trapped miners’ safety. Photo : Supplied

People have gathered at the gates leading to the mine and are praying for the trapped miners’ safety. Photo : Supplied

Published Feb 5, 2016

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Johannesburg - Most of the 115 mineworkers who were trapped underground this morning have been rescued.

This is according to Reuters, which quotes Vantage Goldfields CEO as saying most miners had been evacuated.

The mine - Lily Mine otherwise known as Makonjwaan according to a union - is located in Barberton, Mpumalanga.

Pics: Miners trapped underground

"As we speak they might already all be out. Most have been evacuated," Chief Executive Mike McChesney told Reuters.

In a statement issued Friday by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), the labour body said about 115 staff are trapped after the main offices at Makonjwaan Gold Mine caved in at around 8.40am.

It is still not clear what caused the disaster.

Also read:100 mine workers trapped underground

Spokesman Manzini Zungu said earlier on Friday that AMCU leadership were en route to the mine. He had heard unconfirmed reports that 3 people may have died.

Zungu said it is possible that the incident was caused by a sinkhole, although Barberton is not known for such geological issues.

Subsequently, 49 of the miners were rescued.

Update: Reuters is now reporting that 87 workers have been rescued, but that three are still missing and a search is underway.

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