Prepare for the worst on miners, New Zealand told

12 April 2012

The breakdown of a rescue robot and the release of a video showing the huge power of the explosion in a New Zealand coal mine that left 29 men missing sent hopes for their survival plummeting today.

Relatives said the camera footage had a "sobering" effect.

In an address to parliament, prime minister John Key warned all New Zealanders to prepare for the worst.

"We hope and pray that the missing men are alive and well," he said. "But given we have not had contact with the men for nearly four days, the situation remains grave.

"Although we must stay optimistic, police are now planning for the possible loss of life."

Nothing has been heard from the 29 men who were deep in the Pike River mine during Friday's blast, believed to have been caused by a build-up of explosive gases.

The security footage showed a wall of white dust surging from the mine entrance and small stones rolling past for about 50 seconds. Some of the relatives left the viewing, unable to watch.

A bomb-disposal robot sent underground short-circuited and failed after it was hit by a water fall. Police superintendent Gary Knowles, head of the rescue operation, said replacement robots were being flown in from the New Zealand army and from West Australia.

"Toxicity is still too unstable to send rescue teams in," Mr Knowles said. "This is a very serious situation and the longer it goes on, hopes fade, and we have to be realistic."

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