Stilfontein – The grim rescue mission at shaft 11 in Stilfonten, North West, continued Wednesday with 18 more bodies retrieved from underground and brought to the surface.
Since the rescue mission began this week on Monday, at least 78 bodies have been brought to the surface using a cage that is being lowered more than 2 km beneath the ground.
Giving an update on the rescue, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said: “A total of 84 alive illegal miners have been retrieved as at 16:00 on Wednesday, (15 January 2025).
“All 84 have been placed under arrest. 18 have been certified dead.”
Brigadier Mathe said the total figures on day three of operations by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday were as follows:
Between Monday and Wednesday –
- 216 illegal miners were rescued
- 78 bodies were retrieved
At least five pathology trucks were seen near the shaft indicating that more bodies were expected to be retrieved.
Updates to follow…
