South African police announce sudden end of mine rescue operation

Miners are escorted by police officers after being rescued. Picture: Themba Hadebe/AP

South African police say they have ended a rescue operation at an abandoned gold mine where scores of illegal miners were trapped and believe they rescued all the survivors and retrieved all the bodies of those who died.

The announcement was a surprise and came just a day after the police minister said the rescue operation would likely last until at least next week.