This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70k4ke4r49o
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Dead bodies seen in videos from South African mine | Dead bodies seen in videos from South African mine |
| (8 days later) | |
| Disturbing videos have emerged showing the dire situation at a disused gold mine in South Africa where scores of illegal miners have reportedly been living underground for months. | Disturbing videos have emerged showing the dire situation at a disused gold mine in South Africa where scores of illegal miners have reportedly been living underground for months. |
| They have been there since police operations targeting illicit mining started last year across the country. | They have been there since police operations targeting illicit mining started last year across the country. |
| In one of the videos, which the BBC has not independently verified, corpses wrapped in makeshift body bags can be seen. A second shows the emaciated figures of some miners who are still alive. | In one of the videos, which the BBC has not independently verified, corpses wrapped in makeshift body bags can be seen. A second shows the emaciated figures of some miners who are still alive. |
| A long-delayed rescue operation, that last week a court ordered the government to facilitate, is continuing for a second day after beginning on Monday. | A long-delayed rescue operation, that last week a court ordered the government to facilitate, is continuing for a second day after beginning on Monday. |
| This story contains a video that some people may find distressing | |
| Last year, arguing that the miners had entered the shaft in Stilfontein deliberately without permission, the authorities took a hard line, blocking food and water supplies. | Last year, arguing that the miners had entered the shaft in Stilfontein deliberately without permission, the authorities took a hard line, blocking food and water supplies. |
| In November, one government minister said: "We are going to smoke them out." | In November, one government minister said: "We are going to smoke them out." |
| More than 100 of the illegal miners, known locally as "zama zamas", have reportedly died underground since the crack down began at the mine some 145km (90 miles) south-west of Johannesburg. | More than 100 of the illegal miners, known locally as "zama zamas", have reportedly died underground since the crack down began at the mine some 145km (90 miles) south-west of Johannesburg. |
| The authorities however, have not confirmed this figure as it is yet to be "verified by an official source", a spokesperson told the BBC. | The authorities however, have not confirmed this figure as it is yet to be "verified by an official source", a spokesperson told the BBC. |
| Hundreds are thought to be still in the mine while more than 1,000 have surfaced in the past few months. | Hundreds are thought to be still in the mine while more than 1,000 have surfaced in the past few months. |
| In one of the videos released by a trade union, the General Industries Workers of South Africa (Giwusa), dozens of shirtless men can be seen sitting on a dirty floor. Their faces have been blurred. A male voice off camera can be heard saying that the men are hungry and need help. | In one of the videos released by a trade union, the General Industries Workers of South Africa (Giwusa), dozens of shirtless men can be seen sitting on a dirty floor. Their faces have been blurred. A male voice off camera can be heard saying that the men are hungry and need help. |
| The videos shot underground show scenes of dead bodies and emaciated figures | The videos shot underground show scenes of dead bodies and emaciated figures |
| Inside South Africa's 'ruthless' gang-controlled gold mines | Inside South Africa's 'ruthless' gang-controlled gold mines |
| "We're starting to show you the bodies of those who died underground," he says. | "We're starting to show you the bodies of those who died underground," he says. |
| "And this is not all of them... Do you see how people are struggling? Please we need help." | "And this is not all of them... Do you see how people are struggling? Please we need help." |
| In the other video, a man says: "This is hunger; people are dying because of hunger." He then puts the death toll at 96 and begs for help, food and supplies. | In the other video, a man says: "This is hunger; people are dying because of hunger." He then puts the death toll at 96 and begs for help, food and supplies. |
| The union says the footage was filmed on Saturday. | The union says the footage was filmed on Saturday. |
| A cage is being lowered down from the top of the disused shaft to bring the miners back to the surface | A cage is being lowered down from the top of the disused shaft to bring the miners back to the surface |
| In a briefing held on Monday near the site of the rescue operation, Giwusa leadership, alongside community figures, said the videos shared "painted a very dire picture" of the situation underground. | In a briefing held on Monday near the site of the rescue operation, Giwusa leadership, alongside community figures, said the videos shared "painted a very dire picture" of the situation underground. |
| "What has transpired here has to be called what it is; this is a Stilfontein massacre. Because what this footage does is show a pile of human bodies, of miners that died needlessly," Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei said. | "What has transpired here has to be called what it is; this is a Stilfontein massacre. Because what this footage does is show a pile of human bodies, of miners that died needlessly," Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei said. |
| He blamed the authorities for what he described as a "treacherous policy" that was deliberately pursued. | He blamed the authorities for what he described as a "treacherous policy" that was deliberately pursued. |
| The department of mineral resources, leading the rescue effort, told the BBC that Monday's operation included lowering down a cage that is then hoisted up once loaded with people. | The department of mineral resources, leading the rescue effort, told the BBC that Monday's operation included lowering down a cage that is then hoisted up once loaded with people. |
| This structure is designed to hold six or seven people, depending on their weight, according to Giwusa. It has been going down the shaft - descending about 2km - every hour. The union said that by the end of Monday 26 miners had been brought up alive, along with nine bodies. | This structure is designed to hold six or seven people, depending on their weight, according to Giwusa. It has been going down the shaft - descending about 2km - every hour. The union said that by the end of Monday 26 miners had been brought up alive, along with nine bodies. |
| Department of mineral resources spokesperson Makhosonke Buthelezi could not confirm whether the priority will be to retrieve those who had died or those in need of medical attention. | Department of mineral resources spokesperson Makhosonke Buthelezi could not confirm whether the priority will be to retrieve those who had died or those in need of medical attention. |
| A briefing will be held by the department, together with the police ministry, on Tuesday to provide an update on the operation. | A briefing will be held by the department, together with the police ministry, on Tuesday to provide an update on the operation. |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external |