THEUNISSEN (South Africa) • All 955 gold miners who were trapped underground for more than a day in South Africa following a power cut resurfaced unharmed yesterday.

"Everybody's out," mine spokesman James Wellsted said, adding that there were no deaths or serious injuries reported. There were "cases of dehydration and high blood pressure but nothing serious", he said.

The miners were stuck in the Beatrix gold mine, in the small town of Theunissen near the city of Welkom, for around 30 hours after a massive power cut caused by a storm prevented lifts from bringing workers on the night shift to the surface.

Engineers were eventually able to restore power, allowing the hoist to bring up the miners - who had been trapped since Wednesday evening - in batches. The workers were all brought to the surface within two hours.

"It was stressful, there was not enough ventilation," said mine worker Mike Khonto. "Thankfully our management managed to send us food and water."

Mr Wellsted said there was "no indication so far that anyone has been in distress", although it was a "traumatic experience".

Despite the relief, the accident at the mine in Free State province, 290km south-west of Johannesburg, reignited safety concerns over South African mines.

The National Union of Mineworkers has urged mine workers to refuse to work in "dangerous conditions".

But Mr Wellsted said: "This was a very unusual event. The generators were affected by the storm."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE