Rescue operation 260 trapped miners freed from South African gold mine
In South Africa, 260 miners have been freed from a gold mine during a rescue operation. They had to hold out for more than 24 hours due to a faulty lift.
24.05.2025, 02:12
SDA
In the first phase of the rescue operation, 79 people were pulled out of the underground shaft, according to a statement issued by the operator of the Kloof gold mine around 60 kilometers west of Johannesburg on Friday. The remaining miners were rescued six hours later.
The 260 miners had been stuck in the mine since Thursday because a lift had been damaged in an accident, explained the mining company Sibanye-Stillwater. The people were not evacuated via the emergency exits because they would have had to walk much further. There was no risk of injury at any time, it added. Concerned relatives of the miners had gathered at the entrance to the mine, as seen on local television.
The Kloof gold mine is one of the deepest mines operated by the mining company. Dozens of miners die in mining accidents in South Africa every year. Over the past 20 years, however, the number of victims has fallen thanks to improved safety precautions.
