New Zealand remembers dead miners

Reuters 2011-11-20

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The faces of New Zealand miners flash across a giant screen.
This is a memorial service for 29 men who were killed when a series of explosions tore through the Pike River Mine one year ago.
The tragedy has been compounded by the fact that the men's bodies haven't been recovered.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ANGLICAN ARCHDEACON, TIM MORA, SAYING:
"The police inquiry is still ongoing. The future of the mine is still uncertain. But most importantly, the men who went underground this day one year ago are still there. And for many that means that you are unable to move forward in your grief."
That was a sentiment echoed by families of the dead.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) VICTIM'S FATHER, DEAN DUNBAR
"We took a priest up with us to bless the guys and to try and pull Joseph's soul out of the hole and bring him home to Christchurch with us, because I'm just not convinced we're ever going to get him back now."
It was the morning of Nov. 19, 2010 when a series of explosion ripped through the Pike River mine in New Zealand's west coast.
The blasts killed everyone inside the mine.
The company that operated the mine, Pike River Coal, and its former chief executive have been charged in connection with the disaster.
Meanwhile, a royal commission is holding an inquiry into the men's deaths.
Andrew Raven, Reuters

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