South Africa: 87 illegal miners dead with 248 rescued

At least 87 illegal miners have been confirmed dead in a mine in South Africa, as fierce condemnation of the police’s “smoke them out” strategy mounts.

According to Africa News on January 16th, 78 bodies and 248 survivors were recovered from deep underground after a court ordered the illegal miners to be rescued.

The police initially cut of food supplies to the mine, attempting to force the workers out who were thought to be avoiding arrest, however, it appears they were in fact trapped, and many died of starvation and dehydration in the months-long standoff.

Africa News