South African authorities say they have been notified of the death of at least thirty-one suspected illegal miners, believed to be from Lesotho, at a disused mine in Free State.
South Africa’s department of mineral resources said in statement that it was informed by the Lesotho government about the deaths in a mine ventilation shaft.
South Africa’s mineral resources department says it is also aware that three bodies have been retrieved from the mine by other illegal miners.
It however says inspectors have assessed the situation and determined that the conditions there are too risky to send a team.