S. African rescuers trying to reach over 200 trapped illegal miners

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Rescue services in South Africa are trying to reach more than 200 illegal miners reported trapped underground in an abandoned gold shaft in a suburb just east of Johannesburg, an emergency services spokesman said on Sunday.

Werner Vermaak of ER24 emergency services told Reuters rescuers were communicating with a group of about 30 miners trapped by fallen boulders below the surface.

"They told us there are about 200 others trapped further below," Vermaak said.

(Reporting by Pascal Fletcher; Editing by Ed Stoddard)

((Pascal.Fletcher@thomsonreuters.com; +27 11 775 3148; Reuters Messaging: Pascal.fletcher.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: SAFRICA MINERS/