The Green Party mourns the 29 miners likely killed at Pike River Mine after a second explosion in the mine yesterday afternoon.
West Coast Green Party MP Kevin Hague was devastated by the latest news.
"The West Coast is a tight-knit community and right now we are all struggling to cope with shock and grief.
"There will be few West Coast households who don't have some connection to one of the men who has been lost, so the reverberations of this tragedy will be very deep for us, and continue for a long time.
"Our hopes now turn to being able to recover the bodies of the men from the mine to help grieving, while we look for ways to support each other through this dreadful time," said Mr Hague.
Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman offered his sympathy to the friends and families of the miners.
"The tragedy of Pike River will remain a bitter memory for all New Zealanders," said Dr Norman.
"Twenty-nine workers have lost their lives. We do not know exactly what happened in the last six days but we look forward to a thorough investigation. Today, however, is a day of remembrance for the Pike River miners."
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