This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42914132
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| South Africa gold mine: All 955 trapped workers freed | South Africa gold mine: All 955 trapped workers freed |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| All 955 workers from a gold mine in South Africa have been safely brought back to the surface. | All 955 workers from a gold mine in South Africa have been safely brought back to the surface. |
| They had been trapped underground since a power cut struck on Wednesday night, and back-up generators failed to work. | |
| "Everybody's out," said James Wellsted, a spokesman for the operating firm Sibanye-Stillwater. | |
| He said there were "cases of dehydration and high blood pressure but nothing serious", and the mine would re-open on Monday. | |
| The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in South Africa says there were scenes of jubilation as the miners were brought to the surface in the morning. | |
| Through the night, members of the local community and other workers had kept vigil outside the mine shaft, praying for the miners' safe return. | |
| 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 accident is thought to have occurred when a storm knocked over an electricity pylon close to the site, triggering a huge power cut. | The accident is thought to have occurred when a storm knocked over an electricity pylon close to the site, triggering a huge power cut. |
| But on Friday morning electricity was finally restored to a lift, enabling the workers' release. | But on Friday morning electricity was finally restored to a lift, enabling the workers' release. |
| "It was stressful, there was not enough ventilation," said mineworker Mike Khonto. "Thankfully our management managed to send us food and water." | "It was stressful, there was not enough ventilation," said mineworker Mike Khonto. "Thankfully our management managed to send us food and water." |
| They are being taken for food and showers upon their release, before having medical health checks. | They are being taken for food and showers upon their release, before having medical health checks. |
| Anxious family members had gathered along the road to the mine but were kept back by security forces. | Anxious family members had gathered along the road to the mine but were kept back by security forces. |
| Mr Wellsted said there was "no indication so far that anyone has been in distress" but it had been a "traumatic experience". | Mr Wellsted said there was "no indication so far that anyone has been in distress" but it had been a "traumatic experience". |
| Trade union officials had previously said they feared that the lives of the miners were at risk. | Trade union officials had previously said they feared that the lives of the miners were at risk. |
| They say this accident has highlighted the low safety standards in parts of the industry. | |
| More than 80 fatalities were recorded in South African mines in 2017. | More than 80 fatalities were recorded in South African mines in 2017. |