Johannesburg - The search for an illegal miner believed to be trapped underground in Selby, Joburg, took a tragic turn on Sunday night when his lifeless body was recovered.
Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said the man had been digging a trench near the corner of Webber and John streets on Saturday to try to mine minerals from the earth of the nearby mine dump.
The unstable trench collapsed on top of the miner, he explained.
Mulaudzi said the man’s brother approached the authorities after hearing of the collapse to render assistance.
EMS personnel went to the site on Sunday afternoon to try to dig out the missing man.
The team of 18 EMS workers uncovered the man’s body from the trench at about 7pm, with no sign of life.
The 26-year-old was positively identified by his brother at the scene, and forensic pathology services arrived later to remove the body.
The Star and Sapa