Five miners are still missing after a mud rush hit the Ekapa Mine in South Africa. Authorities confirmed this today as rescue teams keep searching despite the conditions.
The incident happened this morning. Heavy ground movement caused a lot of mud to rush into a part of the mine. The miners’ co-workers raised the alarm when they did not return from their shift. This prompted emergency crews to respond away.
Rescuers, including mine rescue teams and local emergency services, are working hard to find the missing miners. They are dealing with ground and poor visibility. Heavy machinery is being used to clear the debris and make safe paths to reach the trapped miners, officials said.
The names of the five missing workers have not been released yet. The mining company is in touch with their families. Is providing them support. Medical and psychological help has been offered to the relatives who are waiting near the mine.
Ekapa Mine is located in a region of South Africa that’s rich in minerals. It operates underground shafts and has hundreds of workers. Mud rushes like this are rare but can be very serious, trapping people and damaging the mine.
The authorities responsible for mine health and safety have started an investigation into what caused the mud rush. Early reports suggest that heavy rains in the area may have made the soil above the mine weak, leading to the mud rush.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in South Africa is keeping an eye on the situation. They will check if the mine followed safety rules. The company officials said they followed all emergency procedures as soon as the mud rush happened.
Local unions are calling for an investigation and stricter safety measures. They say this incident shows that there are still concerns about safety in deep-level mining. They want the mine management to make sure the rescue efforts and worker safety are the priority.
For now, the search for the missing miners continues around the clock, according to the rescue coordinators. We may get updates on the condition of the missing miners later today.