Death toll from South African mine siege rises to 78, rescued now at 166

Rescued miners are seen as they are processed by police after being rescued at the mine shaft where rescue operations are ongoing as attempts are made to rescue illegal miners who have been underground for months, in Stilfontein, South Africa, January 14, 2025. REUTERS/Ihsaan Haffejee

STILFONTEIN, South Africa (Reuters) - South African rescuers have so far pulled 78 bodies and rescued 166 people from the Stilfontein gold mine over three days of operations, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe told reporters at the scene on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Nellie Peyton; Writing by Tannur Anders; Editing by Alexander Winning)