Imagine being trapped more than 2 kilometers underground with no hope in sight. This is the harsh reality for hundreds of miners in South Africa's Buffelsfontein Gold Mine. They've been there for months, many fearing starvation or dehydration. Why? Because the mine was closed years ago, but these miners risk their lives to find leftover gold.

The story isn't simple. Authorities tried to force them out by cutting off their supplies. But rights groups argue these miners are trapped deep underground and need urgent help. Police say they can leave but fear arrest. The miners' group claims they're too weak to climb out.

Illegal mining has been a problem in South Africa for years. As companies shut down unprofitable mines, people sneak in to search for gold. But it's dangerous. These miners live underground for months, bringing food and water, hoping others will send more.

A court ruled in December that miners should get food, water, and medicine. But these supplies aren't enough. Some miners escaped by climbing for days to another shaft, showing the extremes they'll go through.

Now, a community-led rescue effort is trying to save them. Bodies and survivors are being brought out, but it's slow and dangerous. The cage lowered into the mine can hold only a few people at a time. The mine is deemed too hazardous for official rescue personnel.

It's a complex issue. The miners are illegal, and the mine is unsafe. But do they deserve help? What should authorities do? These questions linger as the rescue effort continues.

Stuck in the Dark: The Struggle to Save South Africa's Illegal Miners

Actions