New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key has promised an investigation¹ into the deaths of 29 miners at the Pike River mine on South Island.

新西兰总理约翰·基承诺对南岛派可河煤矿29名矿工的死亡原因进行调查。

retrieve² the men's bodies. Francis Skiddy³ Marden and Stuart Gilbert Mudge are not pictured" src="http://www.enread.com/upimg/allimg/101125/4_101125055523_1.jpg" width="624" height="300" />
The operator of the mine said it would make every effort to retrieve the men's bodies. Francis Skiddy Marden and Stuart Gilbert Mudge are not pictured
Warning that it could take months to recover the bodies, Mr Key - who visited Greymouth on Thursday - said the nation "needs answers".

The men were declared dead on Wednesday after a second explosion ripped through（裂开，破开） the shaft⁴（传动轴，杆装物） where they were trapped.

Messages of condolences（慰问，哀悼） have poured in from around the world.

Mr Key told local media that an independent commission of inquiry⁵ would be established to look into the cause of the explosions that trapped and most likely killed the miners.

"We need answers to what happened at Pike River," Mr Key said. "Clearly something's gone terribly wrong and it's now claimed the loves of 29 people."

Mr Key warned that it could take months to recover the remains⁶ of the workers. The recovery operation could only take place "in a way that is safe to those that would undertake that mission", he said as he arrived in Greymouth to visit grieving relatives.

"The country is unified⁷ in its grief and hopefully it will give some comfort to the families that have been left behind," he told Radio New Zealand.

Local high school principal Jim Luders said Greymouth, home to many of the miners, was devastated⁸ by the disaster.

"Everyone here knows someone who's down the mines and that's what makes it so intensely personal," he told Radio New Zealand.

Condolences

As flags across New Zealand were flying at half-mast, the UK's Queen Elizabeth, who is New Zealand's head of state, said she was deeply saddened by the disaster.

"I send my thanks and deep appreciation⁹ to everyone who has worked so hard to attempt a rescue, and also to those who will have a part to play in the task of healing the pain that is being felt throughout New Zealand and around the world," she said.

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard said: "Our hearts go out to（充满同情，向往） them and on behalf of the Australian people I give the condolences of this nation." Australia had sent experts and equipment for the rescue effort at the Pike River mine.

Mr Key, who is to visit the grieving families in the town of Greymouth on Thursday, praised the efforts of the rescue teams, which some relatives have criticised.

"It wasn't for the want of trying, or the willingness or the courage or the bravery of those that would have gone in to undertake the rescue - it was just the reality of the situation."