At least 100 miners dead & 500 still trapped in abandoned gold mine after being stuck for NINE MONTHS underground

AT LEAST 100 illegal miners have died after becoming trapped in a South African gold mine for months on end.

They had been in a long standoff with cops who cut off their water, food and supplies in a bid to “smoke them out”.

AP

Police officers and private security personnel stand by the opening of a reformed gold mineshaft where illegal miners are trapped in Stilfontein, South Africa[/caption]

They are suspected to have died of dehydration or starvation, Sabelo Mnguni, a spokesman for the Mining Affected Communities United in Action Group (MACUA), said.

Some 18 bodies have been brought out of the abandoned mine in northwestern town of Stilfontein since Friday.

But some 500 more are still trapped inside after being stuck underground for nine months.

Footage from a mobile phone sent to the surface with some of the rescued miners on Friday included videos of dozens of bodies wrapped in plastic, the spokesman added.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.