- New Zealand authorities found human remains 11 years after the mine disaster.
- Despite this discovery, the Parker River Mine will not resume operations.
- Only two of the 31 miners survived.
11 years after the New Zealand mine disaster caused 29 deaths, investigators said on Wednesday that they have found the remains of at least two victims, but recovery operations are unlikely.
The Pike River mine disaster in 2010 was one of New Zealand’s worst industrial accidents. It shocked the country and triggered multiple recovery attempts and criminal investigations.
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It is believed that the disaster was caused by an explosion caused by the accumulation of methane.
Only two of the 31 miners on shift in the afternoon were able to leave.
The collapse of the tunnel almost ended efforts to recover the body or obtain more evidence of the disaster.
But by digging a borehole, experts are now able to collect images from the furthest part of the mine.
Potential prosecution
Read | New Zealand mine rescue stalled
The police said they found two human remains, and there may be a third one.
“At this time, we cannot identify the remains, but we will consult with forensic experts,” said detective supervisor Peter Reid, adding that due to location, the police will not be able to find the body.
“Based on our investigation, we believe that there are six to eight men working in the area where the remains are.”
Andrew Little, the minister in charge of recovery operations, added: “They are unlikely to be removed…I know some families want to go further, but it’s impossible.”
The families of the victims said they hope this discovery will help potential prosecutions.
Daniel, the son of Rowdy Durbridge, was killed in the explosion. He said:
For many years, we have been working hard to get justice for our children, and this is part of it.
Anna Osborne’s husband, one of the 29 miners who died, said: “What we have seen is beginning to be really clear about what happened there.”
The families of those who were trapped in the mine and killed fought with the authorities for several years to retrieve their bodies.
In 2017, the government agreed to fund a recovery operation, but it was abandoned in March of this year. At that time, they said the operation had been 2.2 kilometers from the entrance, but it was unsuccessful, and it was too difficult and costly to continue.
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