Police in South Africa have forced 540 illegal miners out of an abandoned mine shaft and arrested them.
Earlier this week, security forces blocked deliveries of food and water to the miners in a bid to push them out of the mine.
The miners experienced "starvation and dehydration" and were forced to resurface, police say.
Individuals have been emerging from the mine, located in the northern town of Orkney, since Saturday, though hundreds are believed to remain in the shaft.
On Sunday the national police boss encouraged security forces on the ground "not to back down" and to "ensure the rule of law is restored", a statement from the force says.
The statement says that earlier this week, security forces "blocked communities in and around these abandoned mining shifts in Orkney from delivering food parcels, water and necessities to these illegal miners".
The police reported on Saturday that 225 miners had resurfaced, but "hundreds if not a thousand" were thought to still be underground.
In an update on Sunday, the national force said an additional 340 had emerged from the mine and placed under arrest.
Thousands of illegal miners, known as "zama zamas" ("those who try their luck" in Zulu), operate in the mineral-rich country.
National Police Commissioner Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya said that since December 2023, more than 13,690 suspects have been arrested across seven provinces.
"We have seized R5 million ($283,000; $220,000) in cash and uncut diamonds worth R32 million ($1.8m; £1.4m)," he said.
Latest Stories
-
Boeing strike ends as workers accept new contract
33 mins -
GAF will not relent in its quest to counter external threats – GOC Southern Command
37 mins -
Election 2024: Bawumia reiterates commitment to promote sustainable mining practices
38 mins -
Ensign Global College promotes health and community well-being at Ngmayem Festival 2024
40 mins -
Bobrisky reveals reason for leaving Nigeria
1 hour -
Tiwa Savage discloses ‘craziest thing I’ve ever done for love’
1 hour -
US states worried about election unrest take security precautions
2 hours -
Modi condemns violence after Canada temple incident
2 hours -
Barcelona hit by new flood as rescuers search Valencia basement car park
2 hours -
Labadi Beach Hotel pays over GH¢16m as dividend to SSNIT
2 hours -
Elon Musk can keep giving $1m to voters, judge rules
2 hours -
Election must not divide us, government will protect each citizen – Akufo Addo
3 hours -
Novel way to beat dengue: Deaf mosquitoes stop having sex
3 hours -
Trial begins over beheading of teacher who showed Prophet Muhammed cartoon
3 hours -
‘See you soon’ – Bobrisky jets out of Nigeria
3 hours