Over 900 Gold Miners in South Africa Rescued After Night Underground
Hundreds of miners were rescued Friday morning from the Beatrix gold mine after being trapped underground overnight
Published Feb 2, 2018 at 1:53 AM
In this Feb. 1, 2018, photo, rescue workers prepare to rescue more than 900 miners from the Sibanye-Stillwater's Beatrix mine near Welkom, South Africa. The miners were brought to the surface Friday Feb. 2, 2018, after a power failure, caused by a severe storm Wednesday had prevented lifts from bringing the night shift to the surface.
At least 900 miners who were trapped in a South African mine for more than 24 hours after a power outage have been safely evacuated.
The Sibanye-Stillwater company, which manages the Beatrix gold mine in Free State province, said Friday that the miners will have medical tests and counseling and that it expects the mine to start operating again Monday.
Mine unions and others, however, are expressing concern that there was no functioning back-up plan for evacuation after a storm knocked out power Wednesday night and say the incident reflects continuing safety problems in South Africa's mines.
Company managers and unions say food and water was delivered to the trapped miners while they awaited the restoration of power, which enabled elevators to ferry them to the surface.
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Carlos Giusti/AP