All 29 miners trapped underground in a New Zealand mine for five days are believed to be dead following a second explosion, police said on Wednesday, as the government vowed to investigate the disaster. The miners were trapped in the 2.3 km (1.4 mile) main tunnel of the Pike River Coal mine last Friday night when methane gas caused a massive explosion in the mountain on New Zealand's south island. Two other miners narrowly escaped by running out of the mine.
More than 45,000 people from around the world have lit candles this evening commemorating the tragedy at the Pike River mine.
Deadly toxic gas and fears of further explosions stopped rescuers entering the mine, despite desperate please by the miners' relatives that rescue teams enter the mine to find their husbands and sons, aged between 17 and 62.
Rescuers used robots and electronic devices to explore for life in the mine, but there were no signs that any one had survived the initial blast.
On Wednesday morning rescuers said there was little chance any of the miners were still alive, but continued to monitor toxic gas levels hoping the air would clear enough for rescue teams to enter the mine.
A few hours later, as a 16-man rescue team prepared to possibly enter the mine, a second massive explosion occurred.
It is so sad that all the miners are dead and that all the families have lost their friends and family
No comments:
Post a Comment