BBC News with Jerry Smit
South African police have opened fire on a crowd of several thousand striking workers at a platinum mine, leaving an unconfirmed number of people dead or injured. An
eyewitness
told the BBC he counted 18 bodies lying on the ground outside the mine. Gordon Corera reports.
After first using water cannon, then stun grenades and tear gas, TV footage shows South African police firing volleys of live rounds into the striking miners, some of whom the police say were armed with
machetes
and clubs. Bodies can then be seen lying on the ground in pools of blood. The unrest began nearly a week ago when 3,000 workers walked out in what management described as an illegal strike. The men were demanding a wage increase from the company that operates the mine. It is the third largest producer of platinum in the world – almost all of which comes from this one mine.
Britain and Sweden have criticized Ecuador's decision to grant political asylum to the Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Mr Assange
sought refuge
in the Ecuadorian embassy in London two months ago to avoid
extradition
to Sweden where he's wanted for questioning over sex assault allegations. The British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Mr Assange would not be allowed safe passage to Ecuador.
"Under our law, with Mr Assange having exhausted all options of appeal, the British authorities are under a