More than 150 illegal miners have been rescued from an abandoned mine in South Africa’s eastern Mpumalanga province.
Police say three bodies were recovered earlier this week, on the first day of the rescue operation.
Most of those rescued, reportedly foreigners, claim they were forced underground against their will to search for gold.
A police spokesperson confirmed that the miners have been arrested and investigations into illegal mining activities in the region are continuing.
Days earlier, national police chief Fannie Masemola also confirmed that officers were investigating “allegations of human trafficking and forced labor in these mining operations by those who have resurfaced.”
On Friday evening, the last miner to emerge from the disused shaft blew a whistle as he was received by army officers.
He seemed exhausted, but couldn’t hide his relief when he emerged.
A police spokesperson confirmed that the rescue operation at the Mpumalanga mine has now been completed, although investigations will continue before the site is closed.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts are still underway at another abandoned mine in Stilfontein, southwest of Johannesburg.
Authorities plan to deploy more equipment on Monday to help remove those still trapped underground.
Illegal mining is widespread in South Africa and costs the economy millions in lost revenue.
General Masemola has described Mpumalanga as a hotspot for such activities.
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