Coal mine blast toll now six

The number of people killed by a gas explosion at Gloria coal mine in Middelburg‚ Mpumalanga‚ has risen to six‚ and more than 20 others remain trapped.

The representative of the creditor protection team at the mine‚ Michael Elliot‚ said on Thursday more people still stuck in the unused mine were presumed dead.

“As I have been informed‚ there are six bodies at this point that have been taken to the mortuary‚” Elliot said.

Police spokesperson Leonard Hlathi said several people had entered the mine on Wednesday morning to steal copper wires when a gas pipe exploded.

“The mine was wired with copper for lighting and ventilation,” Hlathi said.

“They were going for the copper and wires‚” Hlathi said.

Rescue efforts were hampered by dangerously high levels of toxic gas underground.

Elliot said: “We first have to restore power to the mine and we have to restore the ventilation to make it safe and once it’s safe, we will recover these people that are missing.”

The mine is owned by Tegeta Resources and Exploration‚ which is undergoing creditor protection after its owners‚ the Gupta brothers‚ found it difficult to continue doing business in the country following corruption allegations. –