Coroner: New Zealand miners died quickly

The 29 miners who were killed in an underground explosion in New Zealand last year died immediately or a short time later, authorities said Thursday.

"The death of all 29 men occurred on the 19th of November either at the immediate time of the large explosion, which occurred in the mine, or a very short time thereafter," according to Judge Neil MacLean, the chief coroner, who ruled after hearing evidence collected during the investigation.