18 South Africans miners missing after underground fire

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A South African mining company says 18 miners are missing after a fire broke out underground.

The Harmony Gold Mining Company said in a statement on Sunday that 486 miners were trapped when a fire started 2,300 meters (about 7,545 feet) below the surface.

Harmony Gold spokeswoman Charmane Russell said all but 18 miners had been accounted for shortly before 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) at the Kusasalethu mine, near the town of Carletonville in Gauteng province.

Harmony Gold said 389 miners had already been brought safely to the surface. The company said the fire has been contained as the rescue mission continues.