A community rescue effort to help illegal miners trapped in a mine shaft in South Africa emerged after police said they wouldn't help.

Police say they are trying to force the miners — believed to have been underground for several weeks — to resurface

Over 4,500 illegal miners are trapped underground in an inactive gold mine in Stilfontein, located in South Africa's North West Province, which borders Botswana. Rescue operations have been halted due to heavy rains.