(updated 45 minutes ago 7:30EST)CARLETONVILLE, South Africa - More than 2,000 trapped gold miners were rescued during a dramatic all-night operation and efforts gathered speed Thursday to bring hundreds more terrified and exhausted workers to the surface.
The mine owner and South Africa's minerals and energy minister vowed to improve safety in one of the country's most important industries after more than 3,000 of the miners were trapped when a pressurized air pipe snapped Wednesday and tumbled down a shaft, badly damaging an elevator. There are still an estimated 1000 more miners to be rescued.
The mine owner and South Africa's minerals and energy minister vowed to improve safety in one of the country's most important industries after more than 3,000 of the miners were trapped when a pressurized air pipe snapped Wednesday and tumbled down a shaft, badly damaging an elevator. There are still an estimated 1000 more miners to be rescued.
President Thabo Mbeki and Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica complained that they were not notified of the tragedy, but found out from the late evening news.
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