Feature
Pike River Mine Tragedy
HM Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand
I am deeply saddened by today's news that there is now no hope for the men trapped in the Pike River mine. My heart goes out to the families and friends of these 29 brave miners and to all who have been touched by this national disaster. I send my thanks and deep appreciation to everyone who has worked so hard to attempt a rescue and also to those who will have a part to play in the task of healing the pain that is being felt throughout New Zealand and around the world. At this sad and difficult time my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
ELIZABETH R
My wife and I have been following the unfolding tragedy at the Pike River mine with mounting concern for all those involved ever since the terrible explosion at the end of last week.
We have both been praying for a positive outcome. We have heard in the last hour, however, that it seems all hope is now lost for the 29 miners involved and so, however inadequately, we wanted to send this immediate message to you to say how deeply we feel for the families of those miners lost underground.
Our hearts go out to them, and to all the people of New Zealand, at such a desperately difficult time of anguish.
It was with profound sadness that I heard the news this morning of the second explosion at the Pike River mine, and that there is now no hope for the survival of the 29 men trapped there.
I send to the families and friends of these courageous miners my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy. To the people of New Zealand I would say how much you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time of National tragedy.
Prime Minister of Australia, Hon Julia Gillard
Transcript of the Prime Minister of Australia's statement
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr Key has just confirmed that there is now no hope that the 29 miners trapped underground at Pike River will be brought out alive.
This is tragic news, 29 families have been hoping, praying, waiting to hear good news and now they've heard the most terrible news.
Our hearts go out to them and on behalf of the Australian people I give the condolences of this nation.
Of course two of these families are Australian, the family of William Joynson and Joshua Ufer.
To those families we especially say we want you to have our condolences, we want you to understand that the nation is grieving with you at this dreadful and difficult time.
This is obviously a community in New Zealand that will now grieve bearing this dreadful loss, we send our best wishes and our best wishes, sympathy and support go to the two Australian families now living with this dreadful and tragic news.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma
“I write to you at this time of national mourning in New Zealand to convey our collective and sincere condolences to the families and friends of the 29 miners who have lost their lives” – Commonwealth Secretary-General
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has written to New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key, to convey his condolences “to the families and friends of the 29 miners who have lost their lives at the Pike River mine.”
In his letter, Mr Sharma also recognised the valiant efforts of the civil and emergency services.
“The initial hopes in recent days – and now, the sense of despair and loss – have been felt by fellow Commonwealth citizens and governments around the world, as we have witnessed the tragedy,” he wrote.
“In this dark hour for the people of New Zealand, we extend our sympathy and solidarity to you all.”
HE José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission
Your Excellency
I would like to express, on behalf of the European Commission and in my own name, my sincere condolences to you, to the people of New Zealand and to the families affected by the deadly mining accident at the Pike River Mine on South Island. This accident has also affected the EU as two of the miners, Peter Roger and Malcolm Campbell, were originally from the United Kingdom. Two Australians and a South African are also among the dead and I extend my sincere condolences to all of their families as well. I would also like to pay tribute to those rescuers who have worked so hard in the days since the first explosion in the mine to find a means of bringing the miners to the surface alive. Let me assure you of the solidarity of the European Commission at this most difficult time.
Yours sincerely
José Manuel Durão Barroso
HH Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese, Head of State of Samoa
Your Excellency
Through this message I share in the grieving families, the people and the Government of New Zealand, their anguish, sadness and pain over the Pike River Mine tragedy.
You are very much in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely
Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi
Head of State
Samoa
President of Singapore, HE S R Nathan
Dear Sir Anand
I read with a heavy heart the news that the miners in the Upper Pike River Coal mine in Greymouth had perished following the explosions that occurred on 19 and 24 November 2010. Please accept my deepest condolences and sympathies for the tragic loss of lives. My thoughts are with you, the people of New Zealand and the families of the miners during this period of mourning.
Yours sincerely
S R Nathan
HE Giorgio Napolitano, President of Italy
It is with apprehension that in these last days I have followed the tragic event of the miners at Pike River, learning with deep consternation that there is no further hope of being able to save them.
In this moment of such great sorrow and deep emotion for the entire New Zealand nation, in the spirit of sincere friendship that unites our countries, I wish to express to you my deepest condolences also on behalf of the Italian people.
Giorgio Napolitano
HE Dr José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Excellency, Dear Friend,
I deeply regret that the rescue of the miners in the Pike River mine is now extremely uncertain, due to the second explosion that occurred earlier today making it unlikely there would be any survivors. If this indeed is the case, I lament this misfortune, as this truly is a national tragedy.
On behalf of the People of Timor-Leste, I extend our profound condolences to the relatives of the miners and to the people of New Zealand. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you.
With our deepest sympathy
Dr José Ramos-Horta
President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton
On behalf of the people of the United States, I offer heartfelt condolences to the families of the miners who died in the Pike River Mine explosion, and all those affected by this tragedy. New Zealand has lost 29 brave and hard-working men who will be mourned around the world.
Earlier this month I visited New Zealand and I saw the famous Kiwi strength and spirit for myself. You have come through adversity before, and I know you will do so again. Today, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
HE Dr Karolos Papoulias, President of Greece
Deeply moved at the news of the tragic accident at the coal mine of Greymouth, that has resulted in the loss of so many human lives. I would like to express to Your Excellency, on behalf of the people of Greece and on my own behalf, my sincere condolences and profound feelings of sympathy to the bereaved families and the people of New Zealand
Karolos Papoulias
HM Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
I was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of life following the catastrophic explosion which happened at one of New Zealand's mines. Allow me to express to Your Excellency on behalf of myself and the people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, my heartfelt and most sincere condolences. I pray to God the Almighty to grant you and their bereaved families comfort in their grieving, and to protect New Zealand from any harm.
Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
HM Albert II and HRH Paola, King and Queen of the Belgians
The Queen and I are deeply shocked by the tragic Pike River coal mine accident.
We offer you and your compatriots our heartfelt condolences in these painful moments.
All our prayers and thoughts are with the victims' families.
Albert II and Paola
King and Queen of the Belgians
HM Beatrix, Queen of the Netherlands
His Excellency
The Governor-General of New Zealand
Deeply shocked by the news of the tragic accident at the Pike River coal mine, I wish to convey to Your Excellency my heartfelt sympathy and condolences. My thoughts are with the victims' families.
Beatrix R.
HE James Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles
Excellency, the death of the miners in the Pike River mining, resulting in the tragic loss of 29 lives came to us with profound sadness and deep shock. In this moment of grief, the Seychelles Government and people join me in conveying our deepest condolences, heartfelt sympathy and support to Your Excellency, to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of New Zealand.
Highest consideration,
James A. Michel
President of the Republic of Seychelles
HE Dr Ken Michael, Governor of Western Australia
I am writing to extend the sympathy of all Western Australians through you to the people of New Zealand and especially to those in Greymouth who are grieving for their loved ones.
My wife, Julie and I are greatly saddened that twenty-nine precious lives have been so tragically lost. Our hearts go out to their loved ones and fellow workers who are now suffering such a huge loss. Words cannot adequately express what they must be feeling at this time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ken Michael
HE Sir Frank O Kabui, Governor-General of the Solomon Islands
Your Excellency
I learnt of the second explosion in the Pike River Coal Mine yesterday which turned hope into an uncalled disaster for the families, relatives and friends of the miners who were underground in the mine. I am very sorry for this untimely and unexpected turn of events which is said to be a foregone conclusion that all miners underground would not have survived the second explosion.
On behalf of the people of the Solomon Islands, I and Lady Grace do regret very much this unhappy event that negatively affects the lives of families, relatives and friends of the dead miners and the people of New Zealand as a whole.
Our hearts go out to the bereaving families, relatives and friends of those men whose lives had been lost in their efforts to service their families and New Zealand and indirectly Solomon Islands. They were taxpayers whose contribution with others have reached the shores of Solomon Islands in the form of New Zealand Aid.
Please accept out heart-felt condolence!
Your sincerely,
Sir Frank O Kabui GCMG, CSI, OBE
Governor General