Condolences to the People and Government of New Zealand on the Mine Disaster at Greymouth

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 the Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr Saul Kgomotso Molobi, on +27 82 940 1647, +27 12 351 0083 or e-mail him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation
OR Tambo Building
Private Bag x152
Pretoria, RSA
0001

24 November 2010