At least 100 people reportedly dead in illegal South African gold mine as rescues continue

Over 100 people who were illegally mining in the abandoned mine have reportedly died since the crackdown began, a group representing the miners told British broadcaster Sky News. Arguing that the miners had entered without permission, the crackdown involved authorities cutting off their access to food and water, the BBC reported.

Last week, the government was ordered by a court to facilitate a rescue operation.

Videos that appear to have been taken on mobile phones inside the mine and brought to the surface by those being rescued show what appear to be emaciated people and corpses wrapped in makeshift body bags. CBS News has been unable to independently verify the videos.

The General Industries Workers of South Africa, a trade union also known as “Giwusa,” released one video CBS News has been unable to independently verify that shows dozens of men sitting on a floor with a voice off camera saying they’re hungry and need help.

“We’re starting to show you the bodies of those who died underground,” said the voice in the video. “And this is not all of them. … Do you see how people are struggling? Please – we need help.”

In a briefing on Monday, Giwusa leaders called the situation in the mine a “massacre,” the BBC reported.

“What this footage does is show a pile of human bodies, of miners that died needlessly,” Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei said.

South Africa’s department of mineral resources told the BBC the rescue operation on Monday involved lowering a cage into the mine that is designed to hold six or seven people. It said the cage has been going up and down the shaft every hour.