The clampdown on illegal mining cut off food and water to hundreds of miners underground. At least 78 bodies were pulled from a mining shaft this week, and more are believed to remain underground.

STILFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) — Rescuers and volunteers have pulled at least 78 dead miners and more than 160 survivors from an abandoned South African gold mine, where they have languished for over two months during a standoff with authorities who demanded they surrender to police because they were mining illegally.

Police blocked supplies of food and water to mine Trade unions: state allowed miners 'to starve to death' Government calls illegal mining 'war on economy' At least 78 dead bodies have been pulled from