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South African police say at least 14 dead in a mine collapse
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- At least 14 artisanal miners died and eight were injured in a mine collapse near Rustenburg, South Africa, while working illegally, according to police.
- The cave-in occurred Monday night, and search efforts with sniffer dogs and specialized equipment are ongoing to locate any additional victims.
- Most of the deceased miners were reportedly nationals of Lesotho, and three injured miners were arrested on suspicion of illegal mining.
- Illegal mining, often conducted by groups known as zama zamas, is a significant issue in South Africa, linked to criminal syndicates and violent conflicts.
- The government has taken strong measures against illegal mining, including deploying soldiers to combat organized crime, following previous deadly incidents involving artisanal miners.
