Authorities and rescue teams are searching for five miners trapped underground following a mud rush at a diamond mine in Kimberley, the Northern Cape branch of Ekapa Mining confirmed.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, prompting the immediate suspension of mining operations as emergency efforts began.
Ekapa Mining said it has notified the Department of Mineral Resources and the miners’ families, and has put support measures in place. The company stressed that the safety of its workers remains the top priority.
While details remain limited, a source quoted by the local newspaper, the Diamond Fields Advertiser, indicated that the mud rush took place approximately 890 metres underground in Tunnel 6 of the joint shaft.
Rescue teams are continuing efforts to reach the trapped miners, with authorities urging caution and emphasizing the hazardous conditions underground. The situation remains fluid as operations focus on locating and safely extracting those affected.