South Africa Gold Mine Tragedy: 100 Miners Die Due to Starvation
Around 100 illegal miners have reportedly died from starvation in a disused gold mine in the North West Province of South Africa. The miners, who had entered the abandoned mine in search of gold, were trapped without food or water, leading to the tragic loss of lives.
The incident occurred at the sealed Stilfontein gold mine, where several bodies of deceased miners were seen in videos that have gone viral on social media. The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) released these videos and called the situation a disaster. Mametlwe Sebei, president of GIWUSA, described the incident as a massacre and criticized the government, alleging its failure to prevent such tragedies. He claimed that the piles of corpses inside the mine are evidence of administrative negligence.
In December 2023, the South African government initiated "Operation Close the Hole," aimed at sealing off abandoned mines and curbing illegal mining. As part of this effort, around 13,000 illegal miners were arrested. However, fearing arrest, many miners reportedly took refuge deep within the 2.5-kilometer-deep Stilfontein mine. The government allegedly blocked all food and water supply routes to force the miners out, inadvertently leading to the dire situation.
Following public outrage and the viral spread of the videos, the government launched a rescue operation. A miner, in a desperate plea for help, recorded a video requesting immediate assistance, urging authorities to provide food and evacuate those trapped. So far, nine bodies have been recovered, and 26 miners have been rescued.
Illegal mining has been a persistent issue in South Africa for decades. Poverty and unemployment continue to drive many individuals to risk their lives in search of gold in sealed mines. The existence of organized syndicates further complicates the issue, as these groups exploit vulnerable individuals by encouraging illegal mining operations.
