The message reads, in part:
“It was with real sorrow that I learned of the deaths of the miners at the Pike River mine.
I express my profound condolences. We share the New Zealand people’s grief and send our words of sympathy and support to the miners’ families, who have suffered an irreplaceable loss.
I hope that our feelings of solidarity will help to give the victims’ families and all New Zealanders the courage and steadfastness to get through this difficult hour.”