At least 100 illegal workers died after being trapped in a South African gold mine. According to the information received, the workers were illegally mining in an abandoned gold mine.

These workers trapped in the mine had been struggling with hunger and thirst for several months, with rescue operations going on since November. About 100 workers were trapped in the gold mines located in Buffelsfontein, near the city of Stillfontein, South Africa.

It has been now revealed that they had died of hunger and dehydration. The trapped workers sent videos from the mine, shot on their mobile phones, which showed the bodies of workers wrapped in plastic.

According to the Mining Affected Communities United in Action group, 26 workers have been rescued so far during the relief work and 18 bodies have also been pulled out. However, the mine is so deep that it is possible that up to 500 workers are still trapped inside.

The depth of the mine is said to be 2.5 km. The post-mortem report stated that the primary cause of death was starvation.

Earlier, a clash had broke out between the miners and the police, and the authorities said that miners did not leave fearing arrests, whereas miners alleged that they could not come out because of police’s action.

Illegal mining is a prevelant problem in South Africa. When large companies abandon mines, considering them useless, local miners try to extract the remaining gold. This dangerous practice becomes a threat to their lives.