At least 14 artisanal miners have died and scores are injured following an incident at a disused mine in South Africa, police confirmed Tuesday.
The miners were discovered at a site near Rustenburg, a city located approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) northwest of Johannesburg. Authorities have not yet released specific details regarding the circumstances of the deaths and injuries.
South Africa is home to tens of thousands of artisanal miners who often work illegally in abandoned gold and platinum mines. These informal miners frequently lack proper safety equipment, contributing to hazardous working conditions. Rustenburg is a significant center for platinum mining, given South Africa's position as holding the world's largest platinum reserves.