RAPAPORT... The bodies of 10 illegal diamond miners have been pulled from collapsed tunnels in an abandoned mine in South Africa's Northern Cape province, Reuters reported.
De Beers officials have been at the site of collapsed tunnels in the Bontekoe area on the northern boundary of their Namaqualand mines since Tuesday after a tunnel collapsed in an area where the company stopped mining two years ago. To date, one survivor has been recovered.
“We again urge, personally, all those directing, encouraging and participating in illegal mining to put safety first and to cease their activities and to cooperate with the authorities in the region before another person is injured or loses their life,” said Phillip Barton, the chief executive of De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM).
De Beers noted that the search will continue until all illegally excavated tunnels are found.
South Africa indicated it would seal off the tunnels.
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