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| South Africa gold mine: Rescue underway for 955 trapped workers | South Africa gold mine: Rescue underway for 955 trapped workers |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A rescue operation is underway to release 955 workers from a gold mine in South Africa after a power cut left them trapped. | A rescue operation is underway to release 955 workers from a gold mine in South Africa after a power cut left them trapped. |
| A spokesman for the mine's operating company said on Friday morning that power had been restored to a lift to release them. | A spokesman for the mine's operating company said on Friday morning that power had been restored to a lift to release them. |
| The miners have been trapped underground since Wednesday night. | The miners have been trapped underground since Wednesday night. |
| South Africa is a leading gold producer, but safety in the industry is often questioned. | South Africa is a leading gold producer, but safety in the industry is often questioned. |
| The Beatrix mine is in Welkom town, about 290km (180 miles) south-west of Johannesburg. It is owned by Sibanye-Stillwater mining firm. | The Beatrix mine is in Welkom town, about 290km (180 miles) south-west of Johannesburg. It is owned by Sibanye-Stillwater mining firm. |
| It has 23 levels, going down to 1,000 metres (3,280 ft) below ground. | It has 23 levels, going down to 1,000 metres (3,280 ft) below ground. |
| The workers are expected to get taken for food and showers upon their release, before having medical health checks. | |
| A reporter for the AFP news agency said several ambulances arrived overnight at the site. | A reporter for the AFP news agency said several ambulances arrived overnight at the site. |
| Company spokesman James Wellsted said there was "no indication so far that anyone has been in distress", but that counselling has been made available to the workers and their families. | Company spokesman James Wellsted said there was "no indication so far that anyone has been in distress", but that counselling has been made available to the workers and their families. |
| On Thursday he said water and food supplies had been able to reach the miners, but engineers were struggling to get emergency generators operating. | On Thursday he said water and food supplies had been able to reach the miners, but engineers were struggling to get emergency generators operating. |
| The power outage is believed to have been caused after a storm knocked over an electricity pylon close to the site. | The power outage is believed to have been caused after a storm knocked over an electricity pylon close to the site. |
| Trade union officials had said they feared that the lives of the miners were at risk. | Trade union officials had said they feared that the lives of the miners were at risk. |
| More than 80 fatalities were recorded in South African mines in 2017. | More than 80 fatalities were recorded in South African mines in 2017. |