Kimberley, South Africa – A pall of grief and despair has descended upon the historic diamond mining city of Kimberley as hopes for the rescue of five miners trapped deep underground at the Ekapa Mine have all but vanished. In a devastating blow to the families and the community, rescue teams have confirmed that cameras lowered into the treacherous depths have revealed only “water and mud,” extinguishing the faint flicker of hope that the men might still be alive. The tragedy, which began with a mudslide on 17 February 2026, has now transitioned from a desperate rescue mission to a grim recovery operation, casting a dark shadow over the nation’s mining industry.
The five mineworkers were engulfed by a sudden and violent mudslide that occurred nearly a kilometre underground at the Ekapa Minerals’ Joint Shaft Mine. The incident, which happened in the early hours of Tuesday, triggered a massive, multi-agency rescue operation, with teams working around the clock in a frantic race against time. However, the challenging conditions, including rising water levels and unstable ground, have severely hampered their efforts, turning the rescue into a near-impossible task.
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, who visited the mine on Friday, 20 February 2026, delivered the heartbreaking news that the miners are now presumed dead. Drawing on his own experience as a former mineworker, Mantashe stated, “If you are away from the 17th to today in a mud rush, as a mine worker, I can tell you that I would easily do what I call presumption of death and assume that they are dead. The possibility of life is minimal”.
He acknowledged that the focus has now shifted to retrieving the bodies, a process that is proving to be equally perilous.
The rescue teams have faced a formidable set of obstacles. The sheer volume of mud and water that inundated the affected area has made it incredibly difficult to access the trapped miners. Drilling has been slow and fraught with danger, as the ground remains unstable and prone to further collapses. The psychological toll on the rescue workers, who have been battling against the odds for days, is immense. Their tireless efforts, though ultimately in vain, have been a testament to their courage and dedication.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUMSA) has been actively involved in monitoring the situation and providing support to the families of the trapped miners. The union has called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the mudslide, demanding accountability and stricter safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The focus, for now, remains on the recovery of the bodies, a process that NUMSA insists must be carried out with the utmost care and respect for the deceased.
The Ekapa Mine tragedy has once again brought the issue of mine safety in South Africa into sharp focus. The country’s mining industry, a cornerstone of its economy, has a long and often tragic history of accidents and fatalities. While significant strides have been made in improving safety standards over the years, incidents like the one at Ekapa serve as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers faced by mineworkers every day. Minister Mantashe has confirmed that the chief investigator of mines will launch a full-scale investigation into the incident once the recovery operation is complete, to determine the source of the water and the circumstances that led to the mudslide.
The families of the five miners are enduring an unimaginable ordeal. They have been holding a vigil at the mine since the incident occurred, their hopes slowly turning to despair as the days passed. The confirmation that their loved ones are presumed dead has plunged them into a state of profound grief. The community of Kimberley has rallied around the families, offering support and solidarity during this difficult time. The emotional scars of this tragedy will undoubtedly linger for years to come.
As the recovery operation continues, the nation mourns the loss of five more lives to the unforgiving depths of the earth. The Ekapa Mine tragedy is a somber reminder of the human cost of mining and the urgent need for unwavering commitment to safety and accountability within the industry. The investigation that will follow must be thorough and transparent, ensuring that lessons are learned and that every possible measure is taken to prevent such a devastating loss of life from happening again. Celeb Gossip News extends its deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased miners.
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