Eleven dead in Impala Platinum mine accident
Impala Platinum has confirmed that 11 workers died and 75 others were injured in an accident at its Rustenburg operations in North West.
The incident occurred on Monday when an elevator bringing the workers back up to the surface malfunctioned, the mine's operator said on Tuesday.
Impala Platinum said the "serious accident" happened on Monday in the late afternoon at its mine in Rustenburg, as employees left one of the shafts at the end of their shift.
The mine’s spokesperson, Johan Theron, says 75 workers were taken to hospital.
"Following the incident, the paramedics and our proto teams were immediately mobilised. They have accessed underground workings, and the two upper levels of the conveyance have been cleared.
“The rescue is now focused on vacating the lower level. The safety of our employees is paramount, and we are providing all possible support to those involved and working closely with the relevant authorities.
“We remain steadfast in our dedication to ensuring our colleagues are brought home safely and continue to prioritise safety above all else,” he added.
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