An unknown number of illegal miners are refusing to be rescued from a sealed-off abandoned mine near Johannesburg because they fear arrest, South African authorities said Monday.
Illegal Miners Refuse Rescue
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South African authorities said 22 gold miners who came out of a disused and temporarily blocked shaft, near Johannesburg over the last two days have been arrested and will be charged with illegal mining, Feb. 17, 2014.
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Suspected illegal miners await treatment after emerging from an abandoned gold shaft in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 17, 2014.
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A suspected illegal miner talks to emergency personnel after emerging from an abandoned gold shaft in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 17, 2014.
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A suspected illegal miner climbs out of a ventilation shaft used to access an abandoned gold shaft in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 17, 2014.