A South African court has ordered police to end their blockade at a disused mine in Stilfontein, where hundreds of illegal miners are believed to be trapped underground.

The High Court in Pretoria ruled that miners should be allowed to leave the mine freely, and emergency workers must be granted access. This temporary order, reported by state broadcaster SABC, will be reviewed in a full hearing next week.

The standoff has raised alarms about the miners’ safety after police cut off food and water supplies. The South African Human Rights Commission is investigating the police’s actions, citing concerns about restricting essential resources.

Illegal mining has become a widespread issue in South Africa, with thousands of abandoned mines across the country left unsealed. Activists like David Van Wyk from the Benchmarks Foundation argue that poverty and unemployment drive many to this dangerous work.

Authorities have vowed to continue operations against illegal miners in the Stilfontein area. Police confirmed that three miners surfaced on Saturday and were detained after medical evaluations. They also arrested a suspect at a smelter used to process gold.

One decomposed body has been recovered from the mine, adding to fears about the conditions underground. Police have urged all remaining miners to resurface immediately.

Source: CNN