A group representing informal miners in South Africa says at least 100 men who were mining illegally in an abandoned gold mine have died after being trapped deep underground for months while police tried to get them out.

At least 100 people who were trapped in a South African mine have died, a group representing them has said. They were illegally mining in an abandoned gold mine and have been engaged in a lengthy standoff with authorities who had cut off their food, water and supplies in an attempt to "smoke them out".

Civil rights groups say at least 100 people have died from starvation since October when the authorities sealed off shafts at the Buffelsfontein gold mine.

"At least" 100 illegal miners have reportedly died after being trapped inside of a mine this week. Tragedy struck a mine in South Africa on Monday, when at least 100 illegal miners died after being trapped inside of a mine.