Five miners still trapped as rescue hopes fade

Ekapa Mine in Kimberley in the Northern Cape.

Hope is fading that the five trapped miners at the Ekapa Minerals Mine in Kimberly will be found alive. The miners were trapped following a mud rush incident in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

[COMING UP] Hope to locate and rescue the five trapped miners at Ekapa Minerals Mine in Kimberly while still alive are diminishing by the day. This follows a mudslide incident in the early hours Tuesday morning nearly 900 metres underground. #sabcnews #WeekendView pic.twitter.com/8eI5a50rXb

— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) February 21, 2026

As rescue efforts continue, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA)’s representative at the mine, Lerato Mohatlane says they have met with some families of the trapped miners to offer support.

“I can tell you the situation is really devastating. The families are trying their level best to try and understand what is happening. But they are not coping, it’s very bad. Fathers and people’s husbands are also missing and the wives weep near the mine praying for their husband’s bodies will be resurfaced, even though they have hope that they are still alive. This is really painful to witness.

WATCH | Mining Analyst Peter Major says there’s a good chance that five mine workers trapped at the Ekapa Minerals mine in Kimberley since Tuesday will be found alive. pic.twitter.com/UCJag4dbGx

— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 20, 2026