Update: Eight succumb to mine fire
Eight bodies were recovered after nine employees were unaccounted for in the Doornkop mine fire.
The bodies of eight employees were recovered by a search and rescue team, following a statement by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited yesterday afternoon (5 February) that nine employees still were unaccounted for.
An updated press release from Russell and Associates’ Sherilee Lakmidas confirmed that eight of the employees tragically succumbed to the fire.
On Thursday morning 6 February Harmony stated that the search was continuing for the ninth employee that had not been located since the fire had started on Tuesday night 4 February.
“At around 7am on Wednesday 5 February rescue workers located eight employees in an underground refuge chamber and they were brought to the surface, unharmed, by 11am.
“Harmony’s CEO Graham Briggs and the board and management extend their condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the men who died.”
