The Citizen reports that at least 31 suspected illegal miners, believed to be Basotho nationals, have died in a ventilation Shaft 5 Virginia mine in Welkom, Free State province.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) confirmed the incident, saying the miners died in a mine ventilation shaft last operational in the 1990s. The department said it received information that other illegal miners had retrieved three of the bodies and brought them to the surface. Previous owner of the mine, Harmony Gold Mining Company, and the department have assessed the situation and determined that methane levels were very high. “As such, it is currently too risky to dispatch a search team to the shaft. However, we are considering various options to deal with the situation speedily,” the department advised. “Although this is a unique and strange situation, all relevant stakeholders will endeavor to ensure that the suspected deceased illegal miners are brought to the surface,” it added.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Narissa Subramoney at The Citizen

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