4th blast hits New Zealand coal mine where 29 died

[Tuesday Afternoon]

GREYMOUTH, New Zealand – A fourth explosion in nine days ripped through a New Zealand mine where 29 miners perished, and officials said Sunday the coal was on fire, a development that could significantly delay recovery of the bodies.

Large quantities of smoke and flames were seen shooting from the Pike River Coal mine's vertical ventilation shaft after Sunday's blast.

"This smoke has changed, it's no longer a gas fire, it's obviously now a coal fire," Pike River chief executive Peter Whittall told reporters. "Where that coal fire is or how big it is, we don't know."

The mine might have to be temporarily sealed to starve the fire of oxygen, Whittall said, without indicating how long it would take to kill the fire. The move could seriously delay the recovery of the bodies, and Whittall said it was not the preferred option.

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