A devastating tragedy has unfolded in South Africa's North West Province, where at least 100 illegal miners have lost their lives in the abandoned Buffelsfontein gold mine near Stilfontein, according to Sabelo Mnguni, spokesperson for the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), a group advocating for miners' rights.

The grim situation emerged after hundreds of miners, engaged in unauthorized gold mining, became trapped in the deep shafts for nearly two months.

Efforts to rescue the trapped miners took a tragic turn when, on Friday, authorities were able to retrieve several miners and a mobile phone containing harrowing video footage.

The recordings depicted dozens of bodies wrapped in plastic sheeting, raising the specter of a humanitarian disaster underground.

According to Mnguni, the deceased likely succumbed to dehydration and starvation.

Since Friday, a total of 18 bodies and 26 survivors have been brought to the surface.

Reports from survivors tell of dire conditions underground, with some resorting to cannibalism in an attempt to survive.

This humanitarian crisis has cast a spotlight on the dangerous and illicit practice of illegal mining in the nation.

The South African police have been actively working to curb illegal mining activities, but their efforts have often inadvertently increased risks for the miners.

In an attempt to compel the miners to surface, authorities cut off their food supply last November, but the miners, fearing arrest, have been reluctant to emerge.

Mnguni claimed that the police's removal of ropes used for descent into the mine effectively trapped the miners underground, with an estimated 500 miners scattered throughout the mine's 2.5-kilometer-deep network of tunnels.

Illegal gold mining, known locally as 'Zama Zama,' is predominantly carried out by impoverished individuals who often venture into abandoned or lesser-used sections of active mines.

While South Africa's prominence as a global gold producer has waned over the last two decades, the country remains home to numerous historical mines, many of which have ceased official production.

Miners, lacking in sophisticated equipment and operating in perilous conditions, continue to extract gold using basic tools.

This tragic event underscores the severe hazards faced by these workers and reveals the persistent socio-economic challenges that drive such perilous ventures.

The South African government's approach to the ongoing illegal mining crisis continues to face criticism for its handling of the situation, reflecting broader challenges in effectively regulating the mining sector and addressing the economic hardships faced by miners.