Poisonous gases in the Pike River mine have delayed the work of search and rescue teams who yesterday rushed to the scene near Greymouth on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, following reports of an explosion at 4.30 p.m.
As anxious familes gathered around the mine today, the condition of the 29 miners still trapped inside remains unknown.
“We don’t have any knowledge of what is going on underground because we don’t have any communication,” Pike River CEO Peter Whittall told the New Zealand Herald this morning.
“We do have one phone down there,“ Whittall added. ”We have been ringing that number but we haven’t be able to contact anyone.”
A loader driver and co-worker, the only miners to walk out so far, were able to escape by climbing through a narrow shaft. The men are being treated for moderate injuries.
Due to safety concerns, it could be several hours before the Search and Rescue teams can make a move to enter the mine, the Herald reported this morning.
“If I was them I would be sitting tight, I would not be going anywhere because I don’t know what’s between there and the surface,” Whittall told the Herald.
Gas explosions are a continual risk in West Coast mines according to the Coal Miners’ Union, Radio New Zealand reported.
As anxious familes gathered around the mine today, the condition of the 29 miners still trapped inside remains unknown.
“We don’t have any knowledge of what is going on underground because we don’t have any communication,” Pike River CEO Peter Whittall told the New Zealand Herald this morning.
“We do have one phone down there,“ Whittall added. ”We have been ringing that number but we haven’t be able to contact anyone.”
A loader driver and co-worker, the only miners to walk out so far, were able to escape by climbing through a narrow shaft. The men are being treated for moderate injuries.
Due to safety concerns, it could be several hours before the Search and Rescue teams can make a move to enter the mine, the Herald reported this morning.
“If I was them I would be sitting tight, I would not be going anywhere because I don’t know what’s between there and the surface,” Whittall told the Herald.
Gas explosions are a continual risk in West Coast mines according to the Coal Miners’ Union, Radio New Zealand reported.
