New Zealand in mourning after Pike River tragedy

TWENTY-NINE miners are suspected to have been killed by a second explosion in a coal mine in New Zealand.

TRAGIC: NZ flags fly at half-mast

The miners had been missing since they got trapped by a first collapse last Friday on the Pike River mine in Greymouth.  On Tuesday night, another explosion put paid to another possibility of another mining miracle, after the epic rescue of the Chilean miners last month.  After five days of no contact, the outcome of this did seem to be inevitable.  However, this won’t change the pain that all the families of the dead must be feeling.

All are grieving, but are also feeling frustrated and angry with the final outcome, feeling that the authorities in New Zealand haven’t done enough to help their trapped loved ones.  Now, the authorities have to deal with the finger pointing from these families, who feel that the rescue operation was far too slow in operation.  CCTV footage was shown on Monday of the first blast, which left the miners at least a mile and a half underground.  The potential of another blast, coupled with the fear of poisonous gases in the mine have prevented rescuers from going into the risk zone.  A day before the fatal second explosion, progress seemed to being made, with a hole being drilled to where the workers were believed to being working.  However, the families feel that these reasons were a 100% cover-up.  One resident in the Greymouth area, where this tragedy happened said that this was “The darkest hour ever, it doesn’t get much worse than this.”

The age range of the trapped miners ranged from 17 to 62.  They included two Britons, both from Scotland.  One of the Britons, Malcolm Campbell was due to get married to a local girl next month.

Infront of a worldwide media gathering, a sombre New Zealand prime minister John Key summed up the general feeling of remorse and overwhelming sense of tragedy;

“This is a national tragedy.  It is a tragedy for the men’s families, for their workmates and friends, for their community and for our nation.”

The Queen has sent her condolences in a message to Key, saying that “I am deeply saddened by today’s news and my heart goes out to all the families and friends of these brave 29 miners.”  It is still not known what triggered the second blast, but it is believed that the dangerous toxic gases have now cleared, so rescuers can start entering to find the bodies.  

Blair Publishes His 'Journey'

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has published his memoirs, and the book called ‘A Journey’ will make grim reading for his predecessor Gordon Brown.

Mr. Blair claims that his old ally, put him under “relentless personal pressure” and under his guidance, he was always convinced that the Labour party would lose May’s General Election.

Also in his memoirs, Blair, who has been out of UK politics spotlight since stepping down in June 2007 said that he did not regret going into war in Iraq in 2003, and also opens up about his feelings on the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 and a surprising omission regarding a drinking problem when under scrutiny.

‘A Journey’ is well on course to become a bestseller and most bookshops are selling the book at half-price, with Waterstones already coming out in saying that Blair’s book is the fastest-selling autobiography of all time.  All proceeds from the book will be donated to the Royal British Legion, in aid of the injured troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It is a must-read and I am for one looking forward to reading a detailed extract from a man at the top of his power for thirteen years.  

To many, Tony Blair will be seen as a controversial man, one who made some damming errors of judgement in his time in office.  However, his legacy shouldn’t be forgotten.  He built up New Labour and put the country back into some form of security and strength after years of doomed Conservative government. 

Blair’s book, ‘A Journey,’ is now available at www.amazon.co.uk for £12.50.