Gold diggers have worked illegally in an abandoned mine in Stilfontein. More than 240 survivors have been rescued from there, while 78 dead bodies were recovered in a rescue operation that began on Monday, according to the police. Nine more dead bodies had been recovered earlier.
The dead are believed to have died of starvation and dehydration.
The authorities believe that nearly 2,000 people have worked illegally in the mine since August. Many of them have come up in recent months, according to the police. All survivors have been arrested.
The police announced on Wednesday that the rescue operations are being concluded and that they do not believe anyone else is left in the mine. On Thursday, a camera will be sent down to confirm this.
