Police say the death toll in a monthslong standoff between authorities and miners trapped while working illegally underground at an abandoned gold mine in South Africa has risen to at least 87.

The clampdown on illegal mining cut off food and water to hundreds of miners underground. At least 78 bodies were pulled from a mining shaft this week, and more are believed to remain underground.

The South African government faces criticism over the deaths of at least 60 unlicenced miners trapped during a police siege at a Stilfontein gold mine. As the rescue mission continues, 132 survivors have already been arrested,