Europe sends condolences for Pike River Mine Disaster
This message has just been delivered to the Governor-General of New Zealand, The Right Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand
"I would like to express, on behalf of the European Commission and in my own name, my sincere condolences to you, to the
people of New Zealand and to the families affected by the deadly mining accident at the Pike River Mine on South Island.
This accident has also affected the EU as two of the miners, Peter Roger and Malcolm Campbell, were originally from the
United Kingdom. Two Australians and a South African are also among the dead and I extend my sincere condolences to all
of their families as well. I would also like to pay tribute to those rescuers who have worked so hard in the days since
the first explosion in the mine to find a means of bringing the miners to the surface alive. Let me assure you of the
solidarity of the European Commission at this most difficult time".
Yours sincerely,
José Manuel Durão Barroso
President of European Commission
ENDS