/ 27 April 1999

HOPE FADES FOR TRAPPED QUAKE MINERS

RESCUERS were still searching on Tuesday for the two missing miners trapped underground for five days after an earthquake in Welkom in the Free State on Friday.

Matjhabeng mine Spokeswoman Pam Mongoato said there was still no sign of Lawrence Molise Tsolo, 40, and John Befile Delekile, 53.

“We will, however, not give up until they have been found,” she said.

Earlier on Monday, Anglogold, the mine’s owners identified the two men trapped in the Eland shaft, after their relatives had been notified. Rescuers have been desperately trying to reach the two men, originally from Lesotho and Transkei, since the quake, which measured 4,6 on the Richter scale, occurred. Their next-of-kin had been informed, Anglogold spokesman Andries van Zyl said.

The other 970 miners trapped underground have been safely brought to the surface.

By Monday morning rescue teams moved the search to 150m from where Tsolo and Delekile are suspected to be.