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eNCA reports that five miners have died after being trapped underground at the Palabora Copper mine in Limpopo.
The company confirmed on Sunday night that it experienced a fire at an underground conveyer belt during the early hours of Sunday morning. Six workers were initially reported to be trapped, while the whereabouts of the sixth worker was not immediately known, or whether he was still alive. The police confirmed that the body of one worker has been brought to the surface, while the bodies of four were still trapped underground.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) said on Sunday night the high temperatures, which rose to 64 to 67 degrees Celsius underground, made rescue efforts almost impossible. "Breathing is difficult due to ventilation pipes being damaged by the flames, and communication lines have also been compromised," the union stated. The Amcu leadership is currently at the mine, “praying that the situation will change for the good and that the remaining worker can be evacuated alive."
- Read this report in full at eNCA
- See too, Five miners dead after fire breaks out at Limpopo mine, at News24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page