Eleven people killed in accident at platinum mine in South Africa

Eleven workers at a South African platinum mine have been killed and 75 others injured after a lift bringing the workers back to the surface dropped about 200 metres (656 feet)

Eleven workers at a South African platinum mine have been killed and 75 others injured after a lift bringing the workers back to the surface dropped about 200 metres (656 feet), according to the mine’s operator.

Impala Platinum said the “serious accident” happened on Monday in the late afternoon at its mine in Rustenburg, northwest of Johannesburg, as employees were leaving one of the shafts at the end of their shift.

“Our hearts are heavy for the lives lost and the individuals affected by this devastating accident,” Impala Platinum’s (Implats) CEO, Nico Muller, said in a statement on Tuesday. “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our colleagues and are in the process of ensuring all next of kin have been contacted”.

The company said 75 workers were injured and were transferred to local hospitals and admitted for treatment.