Wednesday 24 November 2010

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

All 29 miners trapped in a very New Zealand coal pit because Friday are believed to become dead just after a second explosion. terrence43 auto insurance quotes

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

Prime Minister John Crucial said the loss of life was a nationwide tragedy.

There had been no get hold of with all the guys - 24 New Zealanders, two Australians, two Britons and also a South African - since the primary explosion on Friday.

The Britons have been Peter Rodger, 40, and Malcolm Campbell, 25, who have been both originally from Scotland.

"Many British citizens have made their house in New Zealand as well as the loss of Mr Rodger, Mr Campbell and their colleagues will have touched the hearts of quite a few inside UK," said UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Supt Knowles, who lead the rescue operation, said there had been a different explosion at 1437 (0137 GMT) on Wednesday inside the mine.

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

"I was at the mine myself when this essentially occurred as well as the blast was horrific, just as extreme because the primary blast and we're at the moment now moving into recovery phase.

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

Rescuers had been preparing to go into the mine on Wednesday, but information advised the levels of methane gas have been also substantial.

Shortly afterwards, the second explosion occurred. It was greater and more powerful than Friday's blast, and lasted about 30 seconds, officials said.

The chief executive of Pike River Coal, Peter Whittall, said it would make each energy to retrieve the bodies from the guys, aged between 17 and 62.

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

Mr Whittall said the households have been ''absolutely devastated by the news".

''They had all held out hope that their son, their brother would be the lucky one particular,'' he said, ahead of including with tears welling up in his eyes: "I'm unlikely to find out my workmates yet again."

Family members wept, shouted and fell for the floor just after hearing the information, Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn said.

"People shouted out in anger, they may be sickened by the entire factor. Many them felt misled," he additional. "It's unbelievable. This really is the West Coast's darkest hour. It doesn't get worse than this."

Lawrie Drew, the father of 21-year-old miner Zen Drew, later advised reporters: "I am nonetheless hoping that anyone is usually located that's nonetheless alive."

The BBC's Phil Mercer in Greymouth says a church service was held on Wednesday evening to remember the dead and to comfort these left behind, whose lives are actually scarred permanently.

The prime minister said he would journey for the place on Thursday to meet the miners' households and thank the rescue crews.

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