ALL 955 TRAPPED MINERS FREED

JOHANNESBURG - All 955 workers from a gold mine in South Africa have been safely brought back to the surface.

They had been trapped underground since a power cut struck on Wednesday night.

"Everybody's out," said James Wellsted, a spokesman for the operating firm Sibanye-Stillwater. He said there were "cases of dehydration and high blood pressure but nothing serious."

South Africa is a leading gold producer, but safety in the industry is often questioned.

The Beatrix mine is in Welkom town, about 290km south-west of Johannesburg. It is owned by Sibanye-Stillwater mining firm. It has 23 levels, going down to 1,000 metres below ground.The accident is thought to have occurred when a storm knocked over an electricity pylon close to the site, triggering a huge power cut.

But early yesterday, electricity was finally restored to a lift, enabling the workers' release.

"It was stressful, there was not enough ventilation," said mineworker Mike Khonto. "Thankfully our management managed to send us food and water."

They were taken for food and showers upon their release, before having medical health checks.Anxious family members had gathered along the road to the mine but were kept back by security forces.

Wellsted said there was "no indication so far that anyone has been in distress" but it had been a "traumatic experience."

Trade union officials had previously said they feared that the lives of the miners were at risk.

More than 80 fatalities were recorded in South African mines in 2017.