A tragic incident occurred at a platinum mine in South Africa where an elevator unexpectedly plummeted about 200 meters while transporting workers to the surface. The mine operator, Impala Platinum Holdings, reported that 11 workers lost their lives in the incident, and 75 others sustained injuries, with 14 in critical condition. The incident occurred on Monday evening at the conclusion of the workers’ shift in Rustenburg, a northern city.

Impala Platinum Holdings CEO Nico Muller expressed his condolences, stating that it marked “the darkest day in the history of Implats.” An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the elevator’s sudden drop, leading the mine to suspend all operations on Tuesday.

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe announced a government investigation into the tragedy after visiting the mine and receiving a briefing. All 86 workers affected by the incident were in the elevator during the accident, according to Implats spokesperson Johan Theron. Some of the injured workers suffered “serious compact fractures.” Theron noted that the early estimate suggested the elevator dropped approximately 200 meters, describing the accident as highly unusual.

The elevator involved has three levels, each capable of holding 35 workers, within a mine shaft that extends approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) deep. South Africa holds the position of the world’s largest platinum producer, and the Impala Rustenburg mine, with nine shafts, held the title of the world’s largest platinum mine by production in the previous year.

In 2022, the country recorded 49 fatalities from all mining accidents, a decrease from the 74 reported the previous year. South Africa has witnessed a steady decline in mining-related deaths, down from nearly 300 in the year 2000, according to government figures.