200 illegal miners trapped in an abandoned gold shaft in Johannesburg

South African rescuers were trying to get access to penetrate an abandoned gold shaft in Johannesburg, on Sunday to rescue at least 200 illegal miners trapped underground.


As per information given by Werner Vermaak of ER24 emergency services, relayed by a group of some 30 miners beneath the ground, there could be at least 200 of them down below.

They told us there are about 200 others trapped further below

Added Vermaak:

It's an abandoned mine shaft in the middle of the public veld (open fields) ... it was not a blocked-off area

The miners were blocked by large boulders. On Sunday, heavy equipment were brought to the accident site to carry out the rescue operation.

So far, there had been no casualties reported, said Vermaak.

Illegal mining in abandoned sites is becoming common in South Africa. Informal miners try to excavate ores to sell.