More than 115 workers are buried underground after a gold mine collapsed in South Africa's Eastern Province.

However, according to the latest information from the rescue team, nearly 80 people have been pulled from the ground. Spokesperson of the Association of Miners and Construction Union (AMCU) of South Africa Manzini Zungu said that the collapse occurred at the Lily coal mine in Mpumalanga province, 360 km east of the capital Johannesburg.

Scene of the gold mine collapse in South Africa. (Photo: RT)

The accident occurred at the main entrance to the mine. So far, only 76 workers have been brought to the surface while 42 others are still missing. The mine that collapsed belongs to Vantage Gold Fields, a gold mining company. The company's shares were removed from the South African stock exchange early last year. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the mine accident.

Mine collapses are quite common in South Africa. Last year, up to 80 workers died in mining-related accidents./.

According to VOV