新西兰英语 489 Pike River Mine Inquiry

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　　The second stage of the inquiry¹ ended on Friday. This stage was looking at the Search and Rescue to find out why 29 miners died in the Pike River Mine last November. For the last three weeks we have heard many people giving their evidence and heard many sad stories. It seems there were many mistakes made after that explosion.

　　One mistake was poor communication with the families. The families needed to know immediately who was inside the mine and if it was possible for anyone to be alive after the first explosion. For five days they believed there was a chance the miners were still alive but in fact there was really no chance. A fire was burning inside the mine and toxic² gas levels were so high that nobody could have survived. Nobody told the families about the fire.

　　The Manager of the Mines Rescue Service told the police to seal the mine and cut off oxygen to the fire. Then it would be possible to get the bodies. However, this did not happen and the bodies are still in the mine.

　　Other mistakes were about the safety training and the lack of a suitable second exit.

　　The third stage of the Inquiry starts in November. It will focus on what caused the explosion. After Stage 4, there will be recommendations³ for future safety of mines.

　　Vocabulary

　　evidence – (noun) witnesses tell what they know

　　toxic – (adjective) poisonous

　　survive – (verb) stay alive

　　seal – (noun, verb) close it tightly⁴

　　lack – (noun, verb) not have something that you need; (e.g. a lack of food, to lack food)

　　recommendations – suggestions for changes that need to happen

　　Question

　　A Royal Commission⁵ of Inquiry (like this one) cannot change laws. It can only make recommendations. Do you think the government will listen to the recommendations?

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