Air quality concerns for trapped coal miners in NZ

There is concern that the 29 men trapped in a coal mine in New Zealand are suffering from poor air quality.

On Friday (November 19th 2010), an explosion hit the country's South Island, resulting in the coal miners being trapped underground.

Since then efforts have been made to ensure the workers can receive oxygen and drilling started on a six-inch ventilation shaft yesterday evening.

It is thought that the explosion was caused by high levels of methane gas, giving rise to the concerns that the men are now inhaling toxic fumes.

Air quality tests are being conducted every half an hour to monitor the conditions for the miners, who are thought to be 162 metres below the surface of the ground.

Despite there being no contact from the men since the explosion, police superintendent Gary Kowles has said that the rescue workers "remain optimistic".

The rescue team is likely to be hoping for the same outcome of the trapped miners in Chile last month, when 33 men were successfully rescued after spending more than two months 624 metres below ground.

Posted by Claire Manning