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Dozens missing after NZ mine blast
Local mayor says up to 33 people unaccounted for after explosion rocks coal mine on South Island's west coast.
Last Modified: 19 Nov 2010 07:24 GMT
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Police in New Zealand say there are reports of an explosion in a mine on the west coast of South Island where people were working.Local media reported that contact had been lost with up to 33 miners after Friday's explosion in the mine, located in Atarauon.
Police said the explosion took place in the Pike River Coal Processing Plant at 4:30pm local time (0330 GMT).
Stephen Parker, a journalist in Wellington, the capital, told Al Jazeera that two of the miners had emerged from the mine and walked to safety.
"There are still 33 other miners unaccounted for," he said.
"It is unclear if there is any communication with the trapped group so it is difficult for the mining company to be clear about the degree of harm to the miners or whether they're safe and simply trapped.
"There is a glimmer of hope because this mine has a pre-built rescue shaft. The key question is whether any of the miners are anywhere near that shaft."
He said there was a mixture of miners and management on what is believed to have been a safety tour when the explosion occured.
Serious situation
Speaking to Al Jazeera Stephen Clarke, a reporter for the local TV3 network in Wellington, said: "There hasn't been any official comments from the emergency services. The mayor of the nearest town is describing the situation as serious.
Tony Kokshoorn, the mayor of Greymouth, told Radio New Zealand that police, rescue helicopters and ambulances were rushing to the scene.
"We are just keeping our fingers crossed but it's not good," he said.
Pike River Coal's office in Wellington said they were still working out what had taken place.
A company official told the AFP news agency: "We are still trying to determine what has actually happened down there. All our senior management are involved in trying to find out what's happened and when we know what's happened we'll be able to release a statement and update."
Clarke, the TV3 reporter, told Al Jazeera "it is unclear at this stage" what caused the explosion.
"Emergency services are still arriving at the location, which is relatively isolated, and trying to figure out the details to what happened," he said.
"There is no communication whatsoever with the miners. It appeared to have been a pretty violent explosion. All contact with the underground party seems to have been lost. It is unclear if there has been any loss of lives or injuries at this stage, or if the [miners] have been trapped."
Source:
Al Jazeera and agencies
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