JOHANNESBURG, South Africa: Eleven workers at a South African platinum mine were killed and dozens other injured after an elevator bringing them back up to the surface malfunctioned, the mine’s operator Impala Platinum said on Tuesday.
It said the “serious accident” happened late Monday afternoon at its mine in Rustenburg, northwest of Johannesburg, as employees were leaving one of the shafts at the end of their shift.
“Our hearts are heavy for the lives lost and the individuals affected by this devastating accident,” Impala Platinum’s (Implats) CEO, Nico Muller, said in a statement.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our colleagues and are in the process of ensuring all next of kin have been contacted”.
The company said 75 workers were injured in the incident and were transferred to local hospitals where they are being treated.
Implats spokesman Johan Theron said some were severely injured, most suffered from ankle and leg fractures, and others walked out with minor bruises.
The incident happened shortly before 5pm (1500 GMT) on Monday as the lift hoisting employees “unexpectedly started descending”, according to the operator.
“Its rapid descent was stopped by the conveyance counterweight becoming trapped by the jack catches,” the statement said.
