
Pike River: Third blast at mine - police
There has been a third explosion at the Pike River mine this afternoon. The blast occurred at 3.39pm and lasted for 23 seconds.
There has been a third explosion at the Pike River mine this afternoon. The blast occurred at 3.39pm and lasted for 23 seconds.
A third robot that has gone 1575m into the Pike River coal mine has detected debris and destruction indicating Wednesday's blast was much more violent than the first one.
It is likely to be several more days before operations will start to stabilise the Pike River mine so that the bodies of 29 men can recovered, police say.
A Pike River Relief Fund Trust has been established for the families of the 29 men who died in the Pike River coal mine.
A small West Coast community will now face the task of recovering and rebuilding following a disaster of devastating proportions.
International experts say they are shocked a mining disaster the magnitude of the Pike River tragedy occurred in a modern mine.
Liquid nitrogen could be used to stabilise the situation in the Pike River mine, experts told the Science Media Centre.
He has to accept he has lost a son. But Marty Palmer won't give up until his son's body is back with the family so they can mourn properly.
Check here for developments in the wake of the Pike River mine disaster today.
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 abrupt certainty of a second blast at Pike River shattered hundreds of loving hearts.
The Pike River CEO had to give the worst news possible to families who had looked to him for hope.
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.