05/02/2014 16:33
South African miners trapped in Doornkop Gold Mine fire
Rescue workers in South Africa are trying to free nine miners still trapped underground after a fire at Doornkop mine west of Johannesburg, the BBC said.
Eight other miners have successfully been brought to the surface, the mine owners Harmony Gold said.
"Efforts continue to establish the whereabouts of a further nine employees who are currently unaccounted for," spokesman James Duncan told the BBC.
The fire began on Tuesday evening about 1,700m (5,600ft) below ground.
Mr Duncan said rescue teams were struggling to access the affected area because of smoke and rock fall.
There is some confusion about how exactly the fire began.
Harmony Gold has confirmed there was some seismic activity in the area.
South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers says this resulted in the collapse of underground rocks which caused the fire.
"It... caused damage to ventilation pipes, electric cables and water pipes. The damage to electric cables triggered fire underground which is still burning," the NUM said in a statement.