All five Ekapa mineworkers retrieved after Kimberley underground tragedy
Authorities launch inquest as recovery efforts conclude following deadly flood and mud rush nearly 900 metres underground
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMPR) has confirmed that all five bodies of the Ekapa mineworkers in Kimberley have been successfully retrieved, bringing a tragic chapter to a close after weeks of complex recovery operations.
The workers were reported missing following an underground flood and mud rush at the Du Toitspan Joint Shaft last month. The incident occurred at the Ekapa Minerals mine, where a sudden surge of water and mud trapped the miners deep below the surface.
Recovery teams faced extremely hazardous conditions underground, navigating flooded tunnels and unstable debris in a race against time to reach the trapped workers. The challenging environment significantly slowed rescue and recovery efforts.
Recovery timeline
The first body was retrieved last Monday, followed by two more recovered on Sunday morning. The final two bodies were brought to the surface in the early hours of Monday, completing the operation on 23 March 2026.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that Kimberley police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the miners’ deaths.
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, is expected to return to the Ekapa Minerals mine for the third time since the incident, underscoring the seriousness of the tragedy and ongoing investigations.
The workers had been trapped approximately 890 metres underground after the incident on 17 February 2026 severed access routes and communication lines.
The completion of the recovery marks a sombre moment for South Africa’s mining sector, once again highlighting the dangers faced by underground workers and the critical importance of safety measures in deep-level mining operations.
