South African miners saved
By: Julie von Sternberg
An elevator accident near Johannesburg led to the evacuation Thursday of some 2,700 South African miners from deep underground. The miners were greeted by friends and family singing songs of appreciation.
The workers were caught when a pressured air pipe snapped and fell down a shaft. So far no casualties have been reported but 500 miners are still trapped more than a mile underground. They are being brought to the surface in another elevator that can hold up to 75 workers.
A spokesperson for Harmony Gold Mining Co. defended the company, saying that it has never had a fatal accident. The accident has forced officials to re-focus on the lack of safety procedures in a job that took the lives of 199 miners last year.
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Claudette Artwick
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd