Earthquake Kills and Injures Goldmine Workers in South Africa

A small earthquake hit a South African gold mine causing the death of one mine worker and injuring nine others, leaving another man trapped below the surface on Wednesday.

Measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale, the small quake struck at 1:17 pm (1117 GMT) at a gold mine west of Johannesburg, said Lesiba Seshoka, spokesman for the National Union of Mine Workers.

One man was killed and another was critically injured, Seshoka said. Eight others escaped with minor injuries, but another man was still trapped below the surface, he added.

"Rescue teams are in the process of trying to see if they can find him," Seshoka told AFP, adding that work at the mine has been suspended.

The mine is operated by Gold Fields, South Africa's biggest gold producer.

About 200 people are killed in South Africa's mines every year.

Author: Jo Amey