South Africa miners 'still alive'

Mining accidents killed more than 70 workers last year

Rescue workers in South Africa say three mine workers, two men and one woman, who have been trapped underground since Friday, may still be alive after knocking sounds could be heard from below the debris.

Rescue teams are working with renewed hope to reach the trapped workers at the gold mine near the north-eastern town of Barberton, the local Barberton Times reports

A total of 76 miners have so far been freed after being trapped underground, officials said.   

A South African journalist has been tweeting about the search operation: 

Alex Eliseev

alexeliseev

#MineCollapse Rescue workers have been "banging" in various areas of the cave-in and listening for response. Last night, it came.

 6:27 a.m. - 8 February 2016

Alex Eliseev

alexeliseev

#MineCollapse Rescue workers have been "banging" in various areas of the cave-in and listening for response. Last night, it came.

 6:27 a.m. - 8 February 2016