RIP 29 Miners lost in NZ

2nd blast this arvo has snuffed out any faint hopes of them being rescued Chilean style.

Link

What more can be said?

Watched a Discovery Channel doco on a South African Gold Mine (now the deepest mine in the world) and the conditions those guys work under and the constrant risks they face are just unbelievable.

Sad news. The families going off their collective dials asking why nobody went down in the five days between the first blast and the second. With some justification perhaps, but once the first collapse came, it was always going to be a no-win situation for the authorities if they didn't get anyone out alive.

nobody went down because of conditions which led to the second blast - toxic and flammable gases within the mine

Yes, I know that. It doesn't make it any easier for the families though.

Very sad especially coming off the back of the successful Chilean rescue.

Aye, sk. I'm sure all the families of the 29 lost had their hopes pinned on a similar miracle. Very cruel stuff for them.

For sure.

What's the bet all the vultures from the newsrooms are now scrambling for flights home.

Is the sk family connected to the mining game?

We live in a Rio town and do facilities maintenance for them but we're not miners.

Excellent. I was hoping he wasn't a burrower.

The NZ situation had me casting my thoughts in your direction a bit.

Thanks for the thoughts anyway, Skully

brave men.

It's always bheen one of the most hazardous occupations, anywhere in the world. Special sympathy for the wives/girrlfriends and mothers whose men have been lost, and thoughts towards the others whose men will be going underground again today...

Well said, Growls.

RIP to everyone involved.

Genuine thoughtful stuff, you lot.

Best to all effected.

dreadful ... underground mining accidents kill 1000's each year

Sad, sad news.

Lest we forget:

What's happening at the Gabba is only a game.

Looks like they had a minutes silence at the Gabba before play.

You know before this disaster I didn't even realise NZ mined coal. At least we now know why the poor bastards are paid more than doctors or lawyers. And even that is not enough. Please tell me the company is at least going to recover the bodies.

JGK wrote:Looks like they had a minutes silence at the Gabba before play.

Yes they did ...... a nice mark of respect.

Nice also to see it properly observed too - becoming a rarity at sports venues nowadays

Nice touch from U2 in the Auckland concert last night...

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/u2-tribute-to-lost-coal-miners-touches-new-zealand-20101126-18a1d.html