RESCUERS sent a cage-like structure into one of South Africa’s deepest mines today in an attempt to bring out survivors among hundreds of illegal miners trapped underground for months in an abandoned shaft. 

More than 100 miners are believed to have died of starvation or dehydration.

A group representing the miners said that at least 18 bodies and 26 survivors have been brought out of the Buffelsfontein goldmine since Friday, but more than 500 miners are still believed to be underground, some since July of last year.