Update: One confirmed dead, others still trapped in Gloria mineshaft
The South African Police Service, as well as other emergency personnel, are all at the scene where illegal miners have been trapped in a mineshaft at the Gloria Coal Mine. Plans for a search and rescue operation are underway.
At the moment, it cannot be confirmed how long the rescue will take, however, Provincial media spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi has confirmed the following:
“The total count of people currently underground cannot be confirmed at this point in time, however, two people have been recovered by some of the survivors themselves. One of the two people retrieved from the shaft has been confirmed dead, and four others are stuck at the shaft entrance.”
Also read: Number of trapped people in mineshaft increases
According to information attained by www.mobserver.co.za, proto teams went down to recover the four bodies at the entrance on Wednesday evening, however, it cannot be confirmed whether they are alive.
Also read: BREAKING NEWS: 22 trapped in Gloria mineshaft
Due to the fact that the cables providing electricity to the ventilation system have been stolen, the concentration of gas buildup within the shaft is currently too high for entry.
The suspected area where the people are trapped is too far underground for a recovery, and electricity will have to be restored before search and rescue teams can enter.
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