Identifying the bodies retrieved from a disused mineshaft in South Africa has been described as a daunting task by a police spokesperson. Seventy-eight corpses and over 240 illegal miners have been brought to the surface in a rescue operation that commenced on Monday in Stilfontein. The miners had been trapped underground since at least November when authorities sealed off the entrance to the shaft, preventing the flow of supplies. Despite being urged to come out, the miners remained underground. The mine has now been cleared of both bodies and survivors, with only two of the deceased individuals positively identified so far.
DNA tests are being conducted to identify the remaining bodies, but a significant challenge lies in the fact that many of those found are undocumented migrants, making it difficult to notify their families. Most of the survivors who resurfaced were from neighboring countries like Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Accusations of a massacre have been made by a trade union and rights activists, although the police maintain they were combatting criminal activity orchestrated by illicit mining kingpins.
The miners and bodies were brought up in a cage specially transported for the rescue operation. The mine, located in Stilfontein, was previously overrun by gangs engaging in illegal mining activities. Many mines in South Africa have been abandoned by companies, allowing gangs to take over and profit from minerals on the black market. The rescue effort faced opposition from some miners and a tense situation arose during a visit by police and government officials.
The rescued miners, some of whom had been underground without food or water since November, are now receiving medical attention. They are expected to face charges related to illegal mining, trespassing, and immigration violations due to their undocumented status. The authorities defended their actions, stating that illegal mining undermines the economy. South Africa, once reliant on foreign miners before the industry declined, now faces high unemployment rates, leaving many former miners with few income options.
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