An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale occurred at 2,400 meters below the surface at a mining area in Stilfontein and the two towns surrounding it, namely Klerksdorp and Orkney around midday on Wednesday 9 March 2005. The epicentre of the quake is located in the North West Province; some 200 km from Johannesburg.

Some 3,200 gold miners of DRD Gold working in the mine in Stilfontein were evacuated. 42 miners were initially trapped due to rock falls, but media reports on the morning on 10 March indicate that only 12 are remaining and the search and rescue teams are making frantic efforts to rescue them. According to the company authorities, out of the 3,200 miners initially underground, 2380 were brought to the surface safely by 6pm on the 9th of March. More than 24 injured men were stabilised underground by paramedics before being brought to the surface. There is no shortage of local volunteers to help as needed.

Residents of four apartment blocks, two schools and an old age home have been evacuated from the damaged buildings. The local authorities have assured that people who have no homes to go back to will be relocated. Mr. Jaycee Nxamakele, the Executive Mayor of Klerksdorp, has commended the Disaster Management teams of the mining company and the Municipality for effective management of the disaster.

It is important to note that Stilfontein experiences these tremors periodically, but this was stronger than previous cases.

The South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) has been in touch with the Disaster Management authorities in the mining area. They have put relevantly skilled volunteers on standby just in case their services are required. The nearest local branch of SARCS in Krugersdorp has been immediately mobilised to support the rescue and evacuation efforts led by the local authorities if needed. “The major evacuation is over and the main challenge is to bring the remaining 12 mineworkers safely to the surface and provide them with the necessary support,” says Ms. Mandisa Kalako-Williams, the National President of SARCS.

At the same time in Zimbabwe, a tremor experienced was felt in Chivi District in Masvingo Province, which saw cracks and water flowing in one of the mountains of the area. The local population close to the area do not feel safe and would like to be relocated soon. The Zimbabwean Red Cross has immediately sent an officer to join the Civil Protection officers to conduct an assessment in the area.

The Southern Africa Regional delegation has offered to assist SARCS and the Zimbabwe Red Cross Societies if needed and will continue to closely monitor the information from the two countries.

This happened at a time when the delegation is conducting a regional information workshop for all national society information officers. They are all monitoring the situation with keen interest.