Police Commissioner Howard Broad tonight acknowledged the decision by the Receivers of the Pike River Coal Company Ltd to proceed with their mine stabilisation plan.
Mr Broad said that the decision of the Receivers aimed at stabilising the mine until a decision about its future was in keeping with the decisions that Police had taken last week.
"We note that the Receivers have acknowledged that recovery of the deceased workers is very unlikely. This is a realistic position given the compelling advice tendered independently by a number of experts over recent weeks.
"Police will now consider the Receiver's letter in detail but expect a transition process to hand-over the operation at the mine site to the Receivers. However, as stated repeatedly Police will continue to provide support to the families," said Mr Broad.
ENDS