The government of South Africa expresses its deep sadness at the news of the second explosion on 24 November 2010 at the Pike River coal mine near Greymouth, New Zealand, where 29 miners – including Koos Jonker originally from South Africa – have been killed.
We also wish to express our admiration to the government and people of New Zealand for the commitment, dedication and tenacity with which they did everything in their power to rescue the victims after the first explosion five days earlier, on 19 November 2010.
We include in our prayers the families and friends of the 29 miners and hope that they will find solace in the outpouring of sympathy from people of goodwill from across the world.
For more information please contact:
Saul Kgomotso Molobi
Cell: 082 940 1647
Tel: 012 351 0083
E-mail: molobisk@dirco.gov.za
