Around 150 illegal miners are trapped in an abandoned mine in Sabie, Mpumalanga, South Africa with six individuals rescued and three confirmed dead, police reported on Wednesday.
The rescued group includes two foreign nationals, aged 23 and 24, and four South Africans. According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Donald Mdhluli, the survivors revealed they had been forced to mine for gold under perilous conditions by their captors.
Officers were dispatched to the site. However, authorities suspect those running the illegal mining operation may be heavily armed. This concern stems from a violent clash on November 28, where alleged illegal miners attacked law enforcement, injuring a K9 unit officer and resulting in the deaths of three suspects.
Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner Gen Zeph Mkhwanazi confirmed that search and rescue teams and other relevant stakeholders are actively working at the site. Security has been heightened in the area to ensure community safety.
