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 A family hike took a tragic turn in Arkansas on Saturday. Delta pilot arrested moments after landing plane. Multiple people shot at Reno casino. White House makes Hegseth put his polygraph away. Report an error