A panel of experts has reached its conclusion on what led to the deadly explosion in the Pike River coal mine 15 months ago.
They told the Royal Commission they believe the mine roof weakened and collapsed, releasing large amounts of methane gas into the mine.
This coincided with an electrical system being turned on and somewhere underground a connection sparked causing an explosion.
While this is their most likely scenario, but they still can't be sure – the experts admit there are many factors which could have contributed to the explosion, and without access to the mine they may never know what really happened.
James Wilding, from the Counsel for the Commission, said yesterday that it was “possible that the immediate cause of the explosion may never be known”.
A lawyer for Peter Whittall, former CEO of Pike River Coal, said the explosion could have been caused by the miners who died in the blast, a claim which has upset the victims’ families.
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