New Pike footage builds compelling case for mine re-entry

New footage of the Pike River Mine deep inside the operation, revealing no fire damage or signs of an inferno, provides a compelling reason to grant the families of Pike River’s victims their wish to re-enter the drift, says Labour Leader Andrew Little.

“Families of the victims, and the whole country, has been told that there was simply no chance anything would have survived the ferocious inferno that followed the blasts.

“The footage from borehole 44 released today reveals that, at the very least, parts of the mine survived the blast without noticeable fire damage.

“This is creating even further doubt as to why the Government stubbornly refuses to consider a manned re-entry of the drift.

“The families need answers, yet every further revelation throws up more questions that the Government refuses to answer.

“It’s simply not fair that the families of Pike River victims still wait for answers and are denied justice. National has promised an unmanned survey of the drift but they’re even dragging their heels on that.

"I have committed to safe re-entry of Pike and we’ll clear the technicalities that the Government hides behind instead of providing the leadership the families so desperately need.

"For over six years the families and all New Zealand has been searching for answers for the unnecessary deaths of 29 men – hard-working men who never returned home to their families from their job.

“There’s been no explanation, no-one made accountable. This is unacceptable, National needs to stop hiding behind legal excuses and front up with some answers,” says Andrew Little.

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