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Footage reveals dozens of dead miners caught after South Africa police raid

At least 400 illegal miners stayed trapped underground in South Africa two months after an authorities raid, a group working on behalf of the miners said on Monday, which offered footage of dozens of dead bodies and emaciated males in the mine.

A representative for the South Africa Authorities Service (SAPS). did not respond to a request for remark. Makhosonke Buthelezi,. representative for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy,. said bodies had actually been obtained from the mine but said no even more. information might be disclosed ahead of a main report.

The 2 videos, which Reuters validated, were acquired by. South African miners' rights group Mining Impacted Communities. United in Action (MACUA) on Monday. They got them from. miners emerging from the gold mine in North West Province on. Jan. 10, when a pulley-block was restored to the bottom of the cavern.

A Reuters reporter counted what appeared like 3 lots. bodies in the video. Reuters might not individually confirm. that the body-shaped items wrapped in plastic at the bottom of. the mine shaft were corpses.

The very first film reportedly showed stacks of miners' bodies. covered in sacks and plastic, while living miners who are still. stuck underground pleaded for help. A second video revealed. shirtless miners looking emaciated, with their ribs extending.

Cops said they blocked miners' materials of food and water. to require them out and apprehend them for illegally getting in the. abandoned mine in search of leftover gold - part of a crackdown. on illegal mining that has pestered South Africa for years.

MACUA representative Spectacular Mndebele said there are. more than 400 miners still waiting to be saved two months. after a standoff with South African police.

Mndebele stated someone had actually ruined a wheel system. which was used for decreasing products to the miners - and. allowing them to get out, however MACUA restored it on Jan 9.

The shaft is two kilometres deep. It's difficult for. individuals to climb up, Mndebele stated.

South African authorities are presently at the mine with. machinery, preparing for a planned rescue today, Buthelezi. confirmed.

The wheel system was put in place by neighborhood. members, however it has actually been replaced with machinery used by mine. rescue services, he said. The mine rescue services were. contracted by the department Department of Mineral Resources and. Energy..

(source: Reuters)