South African authorities have come under intense scrutiny for their response after civic groups said hundreds of miners have been trapped deep in an abandoned gold mine for months.

The recoveries of bodies come months after the miners, who officials say were illegally mining, were first discovered and had their food and water cut off in a bid to force them out.

Authorities launched an operation in November to force the illegally operating miners out by cutting off food and water from the surface for a time. Hundreds are thought to remain underground.