World | New Zealand Third Explosion Shakes New Zealand Mine Prime minister plans memorial service for 29 lost miners By Matt Cantor Posted Nov 26, 2010 8:01 AM CST Copied CEO of Pike River Coal Peter Whittall speaks at a daily briefing to the media after the deaths of the 29 miners and contractors in the Pike River mine, in Greymouth, New Zealand, Nov. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/NZPA, Ross Setford) A third explosion has rattled the New Zealand coal mine where 29 workers were lost this week, the Wall Street Journal reports. The latest blast was the smallest and “isn't likely to impede any work out there,” police said. Prime minister John Key today announced a Dec. 2 memorial service for the 29 as searchers seek to recover their bodies. Read These Next One critical island in Iran has remained unscathed in airstrikes. For the first time in decades, team pulls out of World Cup. Retired general, UFO expert has been missing for 11 days. 'Unflattering' Hegseth pics led to Pentagon clash with media. Report an error