New Zealand PM pledges support to familes of trapped miners

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Saturday promised the families of 29 trapped miners on South Island's West Coast that the government will give them every possible support.

Everything possible would be done to rescue the 29 trapped men, he told a media conference in the West Coast town of Greymouth.

Key said he had received a huge number of expressions of concern internationally.

He added that the big issue now is balancing the rescue of the miners with the safety and security of those that have to undertake that operation.

The risk of another explosion has delayed the rescue mission of 29 men trapped underground since a methane gas blast at Pike River Coal mine near the west coast town of Greymouth in New Zealand's South Island.

By Saturday afternoon, rescuers were still unable to enter the remote West Coast mine. Police on Friday put the number of trapped miners at 27.

Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall told a press conference on Saturday afternoon that there has been no contact with the miners since the explosion just before 4 p.m. Friday.

Air samples being taken from the mine were being analyzed for traces of methane, carbon monoxide, ethane and other trace gases.

Rescue operation chief, Tasman District police area commander Gary Knowles said rescuers wanted to go into the mine but could not until it was safe to do so, and air quality tests were so far ruling that out.

He said he would not put people underground until they can prove it is a safe environment.

The families of the trapped miners had gathered at a Red Cross center and were being kept fully informed of all developments.

Whittall told the press conference that the two miners who walked out of the mine on Friday with minor injures, had been discharged from Grey Base Hospital on Saturday.

Source: Xinhua