Local News
Four die after gas explosion at Welkom mine─── MARK STEENBOK 12:17 Wed, 12 Jul 2017
Bloemfontein - Harmony have confirmed that four people died after a methane gas explosion took place at the fourth St Helena mineshaft in Welkom.
The spokesperson from Harmony, Marian van der Walt, says it is suspected that the explosion was caused by illegal mining activity. A paramedic who attended the scene told OFM News that 12 miners suffered burns due to the underground explosion and were later transported to a local hospital in the area. Van der Walt says Harmony is closing more entry and exit points for illegal miners and reducing their mining footprint in the Free State in an effort to curb illegal mining activity.
OFM News/Mark Steenbok
