188 trapped in S African illegal gold mine

Police say those rescued will be arrested for illegal mining and trespassing.

JOHANNESBURG: A dozen miners out of 200 workers trapped in an illegal gold mine near Johannesburg were brought to the surface on Sunday.

“Twelve have been rescued so far,” ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak told Reuters.

Rescue operations ceased as darkness fell but private mine security guards and police were on hand to arrest any other miners who came out.

“We have got communication with about 30 trapped miners. They have told us that underneath them there are 200 others,” ER24’s spokesman Werner Vermaak said.

Those rescued will be arrested for illegal mining and trespassing, police said. “A number of them are refusing to come out for fear of arrest,” said police spokesman Mack Mngomezulu.

Municipal officials said the workers went down on Saturday into the mine. But police suspect some had been underground for up to 12 days.

They were unable to come out after boulders blocked their way, rescuers said.

Police on patrol discovered that the men were trapped when a passer-by said he heard voices of people screaming for help from underground.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2014.