In Photos: 'Diamond Rush' Grips South African Village After Locals Discover Unidentified Stones
More than 1,000 fortune seekers on Monday flocked to the village of KwaHlathi in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province in search of what they believed to be diamonds after a discovery of unidentified stones in the area.
A man uses a pickaxe to dig as fortune seekers flock to the village after pictures showed people celebrating after finding what they believe to be diamonds, in the village of KwaHlathi outside Ladysmith, South Africa. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
A woman arrives carrying a pickaxe in the village of KwaHlathi outside Ladysmith, South Africa. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
A man shows an unidentified stone in the village of KwaHlathi. People travelled from across South Africa to join villagers who have been digging since last week. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
A woman arrives carrying a pickaxe on her head in the village of KwaHlathi. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
The mines department said on Monday it was sending a team comprising of geological and mining experts to the site to collect samples and conduct an analysis. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
A woman inspects the soil The as lack of an analysis of the stones has not deterred the fortune seekers. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Women carrying spades walk past a man even as young, old, female and male dug through the soil with picks, shovels and forks to find riches. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
South Africa’s economy has long suffered from extremely high levels of unemployment, trapping millions in poverty and contributing to stark inequalities. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Some people have started selling the stones, with the starting price ranging from 100 rand ($7.29) to 300 rand. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
A woman using clay to apply on her face to protect her skin from the sun as locals of KwaHlathi village continue looking for stones. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
