Four days after the eruption on December 9, a recovery mission involving eight highly-specialised personnel from the Defence Force's SAS E Squadron was greenlit. In the wake of the Pike River disaster that claimed the lives of 29 men, similar calls echoed in the days, weeks, and months following. The Pike River Recovery Agency also planned to go beyond the 170-metre seal in the tunnel on Tuesday after tests showed stability in the underground atmosphere. PIKE RIVER RECOVERY AGENCY Pike River mine reopened for the first time on May 21, 2019, after an explosion in November 2010 killed 29 men. De Terte thought it strange how people with no direct link or involvement in the tragedy or recovery mission were so adamant about a rapid recovery.

Source: Stuff December 17, 2019 02:45 UTC