Emergency operation now focus on recovery mission in New Zealand coal mine

The emergency operation at the Pike River Coal mine was now focusing on a recovery mission, New Zealand Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee told Australia's media on Thursday.

Rescuers had struggled for almost six days to reach the men, who were trapped on Friday after a blast at the Pike River Mine.

Twenty-nine miners, including two Australians, were declared dead after a second devastating explosion tore through the Pike River Coal Mine near Greymouth on New Zealand's South Island on Wednesday.

"The team they are on the mountain. (They) will now look at how they go about the recovery exercise," Brownlee told the Nine Network on Thursday.

"Although everything was being handled in a cautious fashion there was none the less urgency about trying to get into the mine and I guess the urgency has now gone but the imperative to get in there remains and they will be trying to formulate a plan to get in there."

Brownlee said another priority would be to find answers to why this national tragedy occurred, adding that there would also be inquiries by the New Zealand Department of Labour, New Zealand Police and a significant inquiry by the Coroner.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Wednesday extended the nation's condolences to the families of the 29 miners killed in the New Zealand mine disaster.

A memorial service was held in Greymouth of New Zealand on Wednesday night, and other services were expected to be held around New Zealand within the next few days.

Source: Xinhua