The first of the five trapped Ekapa Minerals miners in Kimberley, Northern Cape, has been retrieved.
The men have been trapped 890m underground since a mud rush, in mid-February.
WATCH | Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul has described the provisional liquidation of Ekapa Minerals as a double catastrophe. He made the remark during a prayer service for the five miners still trapped at Ekapa Minerals’ Joint Shaft in Kimberley. pic.twitter.com/tE1qt5aDBa
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 7, 2026
Operations are ongoing to retrieve the rest of the men. Police have confirmed that the body was retrieved Monday afternoon.
In a statement released by the mine, they say efforts are under way to inform the family of the deceased miner.
The miners have been trapped underground since February 17th, following a mud rush incident that has now led to the closure of the mine, that is currently in the process of being liquidated.
“Kimberley detectives are investigating an inquest after the body of an adult male was recovered from a mine in Kimberley on Monday, 9 March 2026, at approximately 15:00. This follows a mud rush that occurred on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. The investigation is ongoing,” says police spokesperson, Cherelle Ehlers.
On Saturday, Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul announced that the provincial government will step in to assist the affected families of the five men with funds to help them buy essentials, whilst waiting for their loved ones to be recovered.
RELATED VIDEO | Ekapa Minerals | Bodies of five trapped miners to be retrieved soon
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/first-trapped-ekapa-miners-body-retrieved-in-kimberley/
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