Avatar photo

By Sjani Campher

Journalist


22 people trapped in Mpumalanga mine shaft

It is unknown whether the Lesotho residents are alive.


A group of 42 Lesotho nationals allegedly went underground in an attempt to steal cables when a gas explosion took place on Wednesday, reports Middelburg Observer.

Twenty members of the group managed to reach safety, leaving 22 others still trapped.

In an attempt to rescue the others, the group went to ANC ward councillor Andile Magwane to report the incident.

The Gloria Mine, which mines manganese ore, has been closed for the last four months, where hundreds of miners have still not been paid. During this time, the mine struggled with an increase of cable theft.

Proto teams are currently at the shaft where a rescue operation is underway. It is unknown whether the trapped people are alive.

In 1994, 33 miners were also trapped in a shaft at the mine after a fire broke out. Nineteen miners succumbed to the blaze and it took over two weeks to recover the bodies of the deceased.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.

Read more on these topics

Breaking News cable theft Mpumalanga

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.