11 miners killed in elevator incident in South Africa: local media

JOHANNESBURG - Eleven miners have died in an elevator incident on Monday at an Impala Platinum mine in Rustenburg, North West Province of South Africa, local media reported Tuesday.

"An elevator transporting miners up and down the shaft unexpectedly dropped 200 meters," said a report by the eNCA, a local television channel.

A total of 88 miners were on the conveyance, the report said, quoting Johan Theron, spokesperson with the mining company.

The safety incident involving a winder rope occurred Monday afternoon at its 11 Shaft operation at Impala Rustenburg, the company said in a statement issued Monday.

The rope is connected to the personnel conveyance, which hoists employees up and down the shaft, and the conveyance comprises three levels, each with a capacity to carry 35 personnel, the statement said.

Investigations into the incident are underway, the company said.