Miners saved from fiery death

Possible tragedy turned to joy for many households last night as ten miners were rescued from a burning mine shaft two kilometres underground in the Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein in North West. A relieved Simmer and Jack spokesperson Gail Strauss made the announcement that the men had been rescued. She said they were all safe but all complained of being very hungry. The fire trapped the miners in the number seven shaft before they could be brought to the surface. The flames raged for more than 20 hours. Management says it is too early to speculate on exactly what had caused the near tragedy. The incident will be fully investigated. There were 136 miners in the shaft when the fire broke out. All were brought to safety.