Eight bodies have been recovered and the search continues for nine other workers following the tragedy of a fire and rock-fall at a Harmony Gold mine near Johannesburg. The company said in a statement that "efforts continue to establish the whereabouts of a further nine employees who are currently unaccounted for"
South Africa's Minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Habangu has ordered an investigation into the incident at the Doornkop mine, 30 km west (20 miles) of the city. In a statement, she described it "deeply regrettable." The Minister said: "We must ensure that we do all we can to get to the bottom of what caused this incident in order to prevent similar occurrences in future."
Rescuers had to contend with smoke and debris nearly a mile underground as they tried to reach eight other miners who were able to escape to a refuge chamber equipped with a telephone and other survival items. They were brought to the surface unharmed.
A statement by the National Union of Mineworkers suggests that the fire broke out late Tuesday after an earthquake damaged ventilation and water pipes as well as power cables.
"The damage to the electric cables triggered the fire underground, which is still burning."
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