The New Zealand Red Cross flag flew at halfmast today as the country mourned the loss of 29 miners who are now believed to have died in the Pike River Mine disaster in New Zealand’s South Island.
Red Cross response teams will continue to support the West Coast community after a second explosion in the Mine on Wednesday dashed hopes of rescuing the miners who had been trapped underground since 19 November.
The Miners went missing when a gas explosion tore through the mine. After the first explosion, Red Cross teams, working alongside other agencies, set up a welfare centre at the New Zealand Red Cross training centre in Tainui Street, Greymouth, and established a catering caravan at the Pike River mine site.
The welfare centre has been the first point of contact for people to register as they arrive into town and a meeting place for families. Volunteers are on hand day and night to offer meals, a place to stay and referrals to other agencies. The centre will stay open over the weekend as relatives and community members continue to arrive. Its operation will be reassessed after the weekend.
Meanwhile, Red Cross volunteers are still catering at the Red Cross caravan at the mine, serving meals, snacks and drinks to constantly revolving teams of emergency personnel. This will continue as long as needed.
Trained, skilled Red Cross volunteers from West Coast towns Greymouth and Hokitika have been backed up by colleagues from Christchurch and Marlborough to care for people affected by the incident.
At this stage, New Zealand Red Cross is not launching an appeal to raise funds for the families of Pike River miners. We are aware of other agencies launching appeals.
New Zealand Red Cross Chief Executive John Ware says, "Wednesday's news is the worst possible outcome for the miners' families and their communities. Red Cross staff and volunteers will do our best to support them. Our thoughts are with them today."