Also, as part of the operation, eight other irregular workers in need of medical attention were rescued.

Since October 2024, an undetermined number of miners unregistered with the competent authorities and who, according to several local sources, could number up to four thousand, were initially trapped in this facility fleeing from police officers trying to stop the illegal activities.

Hundreds have died, mainly due to lack of food and liquids.

The day before, rescue teams brought to the surface 26 miners alive and nine dead.

Eyewitnesses say that those who have emerged from the depths over the past four months were in a deplorable physical state, severely malnourished and dehydrated. The existence of thousands of illegal miners in South Africa, locally called zama zamas (people who take advantage of opportunities, in the Zulu language) represents a widespread problem in the country, which causes, among social problems, losses by the millions from the economic point of view.

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