Water inflow increase hampers Ekapa mine recovery efforts

Recovery efforts for four workers trapped underground at the Ekapa mine have hit a snag as water inflow in the shaft continues to increase.

In February, search-and-rescue teams began operations to retrieve five miners who were trapped underground following a mudslide.

On Monday, rescue personnel recovered the body of one worker, while the search for the four others continues.

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Ekapa Resources and Ekapa Minerals previously indicated that it could take at least 18 months to clear the mudslide blocking access to parts of the shaft.

Recovery operations are continuing alongside the formal identification process for the body that was recovered.

The mine said work over the past 24 hours has been hampered by rising levels of underground water, making it more difficult for teams to reach the area where the miners are believed to be trapped.

Despite these conditions, mine rescue, proto teams and technical specialists said they are continuing their efforts to move closer to the last known location of the workers.