Death toll in SAfrican mine accident rises to 82

[Coventina]

Source: AFP

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) — The death toll of illegal miners at a South African gold mine has risen to 82, following a fire that broke out at an abandoned shaft about three weeks ago, police said on Monday.

"Five bodies were recovered on Saturday morning and one was brought to the surface this morning," said police spokesman Sam Makhele.

Last week Harmony Gold, which owns the mine, said many of the diggers had died from smoke inhalation when fire broke out in one of the disused shafts on May 18.

Since Monday, dozens of bodies had been recovered at the mine southeast of Johannesburg -- making the accident the deadliest ever reported among illegal miners.



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