South African police have launched an investigation after 14 suspected illegal miners died when a mine dump site collapsed on them on Monday night.

🌐 Here's What Happened

Eight others were injured and "an unknown number... may still be trapped underground", police said in a statement.

The site was being legally operated by a mining company and it is unclear how the miners, most of whom are believed to be from neighbouring Lesotho, gained access.

Illegal mining is rife in South Africa as miners, known in South Africa as "zama zamas" ("those who try their luck" in Zulu), try to eke out a living by digging in abandoned shafts or dump sites.

📌 Key Details

Regional police chief Lt-Gen Arthur Adams, who visited the scene on Tuesday morning, said that the dump site was being used to mine platinum and other metals by a local company.

He told local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that the "walls of the dumping site... caved in on them [the zama zamas]".

Adams said that three of the injured miners have since been released from hospital and have been detained by police.

He confirmed that all the zama zamas are undocumented foreign nationals and will also face illegal mining and trespassing charges.

Adams said the search continues for any miners who may still be trapped under the rubble.

"As it stands, the excavation operations have ceased," he said.

📰 Source: BBC Africa