How Pike River could be made safe for the recovery of miners' bodies
A mining expert explains how to 'gag' a mine to make it safe for bodies to be recovered and gives his view on the second blast.
A mining expert explains how to 'gag' a mine to make it safe for bodies to be recovered and gives his view on the second blast.
The families of some of the men trapped in the Pike River mine expressed sorrow rather than anger at a meeting today, John Key says.
World leaders are sending support and sympathy to the families of the men who died at the Pike River coal mine.
Rescue authorities are vowing to recover the bodies of the 29 miners - but admit they don't know when it will happen.
'People find just that extra little bit, they take a deep breath, they will raise the bar…,' Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn says.
The Pike River CEO had to give the worst news possible to families who had looked to him for hope.
The abrupt certainty of a second blast at Pike River shattered hundreds of loving hearts.
Before the service began, 29 candles flickered on a table near the altar surrounded by many unlit candles waiting to be lit by mourners.
It was Pike River CEO Peter Whittall who broke the news to the miners' families this afternoon, that their worst fears had been realised.
Families of the 29 Pike River mine victims who perished in today's second blast fell to the floor screaming and were in "absolute despair", when they were told the news.
Unscrupulous reporters have tried posing as victim support workers to gain access to distressed families, reports the Greymouth Star.
A robot sent into the Pike River coal mine has found a miner's hat with the light still on. Footage taken underground will be shown to families at 4pm.
Dramatic security camera film has revealed the scale of Friday's Pike River mine blast.
"They don't understand it fully. For them, it's 'Dad's on a holiday' or 'he's just stuck underground'.
The robot sent into the Pike River Mine was operating outside of its primary role when it broke down.
Relatives of the trapped miners reacted with disbelief and anger to news a robot had malfunctioned.
Families have viewed footage of the Pike River mine blast this afternoon. Lawrie Drew, father of Zen Drew, said the footage was difficult to watch.
Sending a robot into the Pike River coal mine where 29 men are trapped was always a "long shot", an expert says.
If you haven't got time to read all our in-depth coverage of the Pike River Mine disaster, here's a quick summary of five key things you need to know today.
The sun smiled on Greymouth yesterday, but faces were grim and the sadness here was palpable.
The day before he went down the mine for the first time, Joseph Dunbar turned 17.