
Pike River: Preparations underway for national service
The Prime Minister and Governor-General will speak at a memorial for the 29 men who died in the Pike River Coal mine.
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.
Leigh Hart, aka That Guy, shares a very personal account of how mining disasters can affect families.
Broadcaster Maggie Barry, whose cousin Michael Monk was lost at the Pike River mine, understands when people asked counsellors "funny" questions.
An NZ Mines Rescue member wants the public to understand what the rescue team members are going through.
"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".
Families of the dead men due to be bused to the Pike River mine tomorrow will still go, despite a third explosion at the mine this afternoon.
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.
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.
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.