S Africa mine collapse kills nine

South Africa's mines have a patchy safety record

Nine South African miners have been killed after a shaft collapsed, trapping them hundreds of metres below ground, a mining company has confirmed.

Impala Platinum said the accident happened on Monday at the Rustenburg mine, north-west of Johannesburg.

The firm said the bodies of those who died had now been recovered.

Accidents are common in South Africa's mines, which are some of the deepest in the world. A fire at an illegal mine last month killed more than 60 people.

Impala Platinum said in a statement they were informing the families of those who died.

"We have set aside Friday as a day of mourning across our operations," the firm said.

Impala's boss, David Brown, said earlier he was "devastated" by the "major tragedy".

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of our employees at this time," he said.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version