Wellington Desperate efforts to reach at least 30 coal miners missing after an explosion tore through an underground mine in New Zealand stalled on Friday as fears of another blast frustrated rescue attempts. Emergency services were racing to the Pike River Coal Processing Plant near the town of Atarau on the west coast after police received reports of an explosion, police said in a statement. Local Mayor Tony Kokshoorn told New Zealand's National Radio that around 30 people at the mine were unaccounted for.
Speaking at a press conference, regional police commander Gary Knowles said tests were being carried out on samples of gas taken from in and around the mine. The tests have so far proved inconclusive and Mr Knowles said he was not prepared to send any of the volunteer rescuers into the mine until it was proved to be a safe environment. He said they needed to balance the safety of the rescuers with the lives of those underground.
"We will still look for that window of opportunity to get underground and get those men out," he said. "We still remain positive and we believe that once that window of opportunity opens, we are ready to go."
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who spoke briefly at the end of Saturday's press conference, said that he's received offers of help from many groups and people, including an e-mail from Prince William that his heart went out to the miners. "From the government's perspective, we're doing everything we can to make sure these 29 brave men are taken out of the mine," said Key. "It's a difficult time for everyone."
"We will still look for that window of opportunity to get underground and get those men out," he said. "We still remain positive and we believe that once that window of opportunity opens, we are ready to go."
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who spoke briefly at the end of Saturday's press conference, said that he's received offers of help from many groups and people, including an e-mail from Prince William that his heart went out to the miners. "From the government's perspective, we're doing everything we can to make sure these 29 brave men are taken out of the mine," said Key. "It's a difficult time for everyone."
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