The tragedy at the abandoned gold mine near the town of Stilfontein began to unfold in August, when police cut off food supplies to the miners working illegally in the mine's tunnels. The tactic ...

Photos from the scene show men - some emaciated - being carried out on stretchers after being rescued from the mine.

A miner is transported on a stretcher by rescue workers after he was rescued from below ground in an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba ...

Illegal miners are escorted by police officers after being rescued from an abandoned gold mine for months, in Stilfontein, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) ...