General

First trapped Ekapa miner’s body retrieved in Kimberley

mingooland
2 min read
Check your BMI

The first of the five trapped Ekapa Minerals miners in Kimberley, Northern Cape, has been retrieved.

The men have been trapped 890m underground since a mud rush, in mid-February.

Operations are ongoing to retrieve the rest of the men. Police have confirmed that the body was retrieved Monday afternoon.

In a statement released by the mine, they say efforts are under way to inform the family of the deceased miner.

The miners have been trapped underground since February 17th, following a mud rush incident that has now led to the closure of the mine, that is currently in the process of being liquidated.

“Kimberley detectives are investigating an inquest after the body of an adult male was recovered from a mine in Kimberley on Monday, 9 March 2026, at approximately 15:00. This follows a mud rush that occurred on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. The investigation is ongoing,” says police spokesperson, Cherelle Ehlers.

On Saturday, Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul announced that the provincial government will step in to assist the affected families of the five men with funds to help them buy essentials, whilst waiting for their loved ones to be recovered.

RELATED VIDEO | Ekapa Minerals | Bodies of five trapped miners to be retrieved soon​

Own a fractional luxury property

You Might Also Like

M
General

Montreal’s international fireworks festival is back and here’s when to catch the shows

<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/fireworks-erupt-over-la-ronde-in-montreal.jpg?id=61114029&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=97%2C0%2C98%2C0"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-fireworks" target="_blank">Montreal’s summer fireworks</a> season is officially underway — and if you missed the first show, don't worry, there's plenty more to come.</p><p>L'International des Feux Loto-Québec returned to the city on Thursday, June 26, kicking off a full month of jaw-dropping fireworks displays that will continue through July 31. The popular event, now in its 39th edition, brings together some of the best pyrotechnic teams from around the world to compete in a music-synced spectacle lighting up the Montreal skyline.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLGPLL8T7NY/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLGPLL8T7NY/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a> </p> </div> </blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>L'International des Feux is one of the longest-standing summer traditions in the city. And while the fireworks are exclusively launched from inside <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/la-ronde-montreal" target="_blank">La Ronde</a> on Île Sainte-Hélène, you can catch them from all over Montreal — in the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal/montreals-old-port-will-light-up-the-night-with-10-beachfront-firework-parties" target="_blank">Old Port</a>, Longueuil's waterfront, the Saint Lawrence River, or even from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, which shuts down to cars on show nights starting at 8 p.m.</p><p>This year's programming features teams from Italy, Japan, Switzerland, the U.S., France, and Canada, plus a Taylor Swift–themed tribute night to wrap things up.</p><p><strong>Full 2025 fireworks schedule:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <strong>Thursday, June 26</strong> — Viva Latino</li> <li> <strong>Thursday, July 3</strong> — Italy</li> <li> <strong>Sunday, July 6</strong> — Japan</li> <li> <strong>Thursday, July 10</strong> — Canada</li> <li> <strong>Thursday, July 17</strong> — Switzerland</li> <li> <strong>Thursday, July 24</strong> — United States</li> <li> <strong>Sunday, July 27</strong> — France</li> <li> <strong>Thursday, July 31</strong> — Tribute to Taylor Swift</li> </ul> <p>Each show starts at 10 p.m., with live music on the Loto-Québec stage from 8 p.m. (artist lineup varies by date).</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLZRZ6MsKo4/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLZRZ6MsKo4/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a> </p> </div> </blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>If you want to experience the show from inside La Ronde, you'll need either a <a href="https://www.laronde.com/larondefr/events/linternational-des-feux" target="_blank">General Admission or Gold Section ticket</a> for the event, plus a valid daily pass or season pass. Just note that the Silver Passport doesn't grant access on fireworks nights — you'll have to pay extra at the gate.</p><p>However, you don't need a ticket to enjoy the fireworks from public viewing areas. Many Montrealers set up along the Old Port, across the river in Longueuil, or along the shoreline of Parc Jean-Drapeau. The Jacques-Cartier Bridge is a classic spot too, but remember — it closes to vehicles at 8 p.m., so make sure you're on foot or bike if you're heading up there.</p><p>A quick heads-up: organizers have warned that smoke and dust from the shows may affect people with respiratory or cardiovascular sensitivities. If that's you, it might be worth keeping a mask handy or watching from a greater distance.</p><p>For the full schedule and more info, you can visit <a href="https://www.laronde.com/larondefr/linternational-des-feux/program" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La Ronde's official site</a>.</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>

mingooland · · 3 min read