Rescue Operations Ongoing for Illegal Miners in South Africa

In recent mining disasters, 12 bodies of miners trapped in a Pakistan coal mine were recovered after a six-day rescue operation, following a methane gas explosion that highlighted ongoing safety concerns in the region. In South Africa, operations are underway at the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine in Stilfontein, where over 100 illegal miners are believed to be trapped, with reports of dozens having died from starvation or dehydration. Rescue efforts have so far extracted 118 miners, including 36 bodies, while many survivors face criminal charges for illegal mining. The South African authorities continue to grapple with the consequences of illegal mining practices, which have led to numerous fatalities and dangerous living conditions. Human rights groups have criticized police tactics aimed at forcing miners out by cutting off food and water supplies, claiming these actions contribute to the high death toll. Both incidents underline the urgent need for improved safety regulations and intervention in the mining industry.