
Inquiry will look at cause, emergency response
A royal commission of inquiry into the Pike River tragedy will look at causes of the blast and the initial response.
A royal commission of inquiry into the Pike River tragedy will look at causes of the blast and the initial response.
Jim O'Donnell helped drag his dead mates out of the Strongman mine in a marathon rescue.
Families grieving after the Pike River disaster have called on a lawyer who rallied for victims in a previous West Coast disaster.
Another explosion shortly before 2pm today damaged some of the infrastructure at Pike River mine, but a "gagging" operation is still on track to commence tomorrow.
The Prime Minister and Governor-General will speak at a memorial for the 29 men who died in the Pike River Coal mine.
The Pike River blast has led some miners to discuss whether it is safe to remain in the industry.
Broadcaster Maggie Barry, whose cousin Michael Monk was lost at the Pike River mine, understands when people asked counsellors "funny" questions.
"What gave armchair critics the right to criticise and worse - accuse the rescuers of deliberately sitting on their hands?"
Up to 500 relatives and friends of the Pike River miners travelled to the mine today, which one mother described as "very healing".
Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn wants the mining industry to learn from past mistakes and has called for a royal inquiry.
A Westport man has told how he and three others ran for their lives when the Pike River Coal mine exploded at 2.37pm on Wednesday.
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.
The ACC will ensure money is the least of the worries for the families of the Pike River 29, says ACC Minister Nick Smith.