All five bodies retrieved at Ekapa mine as Mantashe returns to site

All five bodies of mineworkers who were trapped underground at the Ekapa Minerals mine in Kimberley have been retrieved following a mud rush incident on February 17.

Mine rescue teams completed the recovery operation after weeks of efforts to reach the trapped workers. The first body was brought to the surface last week Monday. The remaining bodies were retrieved on the weekend.

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe arrived at the mine on Monday, March 23, the department confirmed on Twitter.

The incident has drawn attention to the challenges facing the mine, which employed more than 1 000 workers. The operation has since applied for liquidation, leaving workers without jobs and unpaid salaries.

Authorities are expected to continue engagements at the site as investigations into the incident and its circumstances proceed.