Wednesday, 24 November 2010

New Zealand mine: 'No survivors' after 2nd blast

All 29 miners trapped inside a New Zealand coal pit since Friday are thought to be lifeless right after a 2nd explosion. avkosh car insurance

Police Supt Gary Knowles explained there was no hope that anybody could have survived the "massive" underground blast on the Pike River mine on South Island.

Prime Minister John Important explained the lack of existence was a nationwide tragedy.

There had been no speak to together with the guys - 24 New Zealanders, two Australians, two Britons plus a South African - since the initial explosion on Friday.

The Britons were Peter Rodger, forty, and Malcolm Campbell, 25, who were the two originally from Scotland.

"Many British citizens have produced their house in New Zealand and also the lack of Mr Rodger, Mr Campbell and their colleagues may have touched the hearts of numerous inside the UK," explained UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Supt Knowles, who lead the rescue operation, explained there had been another explosion at 1437 (0137 GMT) on Wednesday within the mine.

"It is our perception that no-one has survived and everyone may have perished," he advised reporters.

"I was on the mine myself when this actually occurred and also the blast was horrific, just as severe as the initial blast and we're currently now moving into recovery phase.

"This is probably the most tragic things I've had to do as being a police officer."

Rescuers had been getting ready to go into the mine on Wednesday, but information and facts advised the levels of methane fuel were too high.

Shortly afterwards, the 2nd explosion happened. It was larger and stronger than Friday's blast, and lasted about 30 seconds, officials explained.

The chief executive of Pike River Coal, Peter Whittall, explained it might make each effort to retrieve the bodies with the guys, aged among 17 and 62.

"We want our boys again and we would like to get them out," he advised reporters.

Mr Whittall explained the families were ''absolutely devastated by the news".

''They had all held out hope that their son, their brother would be the fortunate one,'' he explained, just before including with tears welling up in his eyes: "I'm unlikely to determine my workmates again."

Spouse and children members wept, shouted and fell to the ground right after hearing the news, Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn explained.

"People shouted out in anger, they are sickened by the entire matter. Lots of them felt misled," he additional. "It's unbelievable. This really is the West Coast's darkest hour. It does not get worse than this."

Lawrie Drew, the father of 21-year-old miner Zen Drew, later advised reporters: "I am still hoping that anyone is often identified that is certainly still alive."

The BBC's Phil Mercer in Greymouth says a church service was held on Wednesday night to recollect the lifeless and to consolation individuals left behind, whose lives have been scarred permanently.

The prime minister explained he would travel to the area on Thursday to fulfill the miners' families and thank the rescue crews.

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