Seven artisanal miners died after being trapped underground when a mine shaft flooded in Silobela following heavy rains.
According to a police statement, the incident occurred last Wednesday at Auriga 47 Mine, Base Mineral Block, Nzwananzwi Village, Silobela. The bodies were only retrieved on Friday.
“Seven artisanal miners were trapped after the shaft they were working in flooded following heavy rains. The bodies of the seven victims were retrieved from the shafts on Friday. The names of the victims will be released in due course once they have been identified by their next of kin,” read part of the police statement.
Authorities have recently urged miners to minimize operations during the rainy season, as makeshift shafts are particularly vulnerable to flooding.
