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Twenty-seven miners are still trapped underground after an explosion rocked a coal mine in New Zealand's South Island. Authorities are planning how to get the miners out safely.
Twenty-seven miners remain trapped underground at this coalmine in New Zealand's South Island, following an explosion.
Two men walked out of the mine after the explosion, and were being treated for moderate injuries.
They told authorities that another three were also on their way out.
Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said crews were looking into the feasibility of going into the mine, owned by Pike River Coal.
[Tony Kokshoorn, Greymouth Mayor]:
"All I could say, I have been up there, the mine rescue crews are working frantically at the moment, they are up there, they are doing everything they can, it is a waiting game, they are making sure that the mine is safe to go down but at the moment there are 27 unaccounted for and they are still down in the mine."
A mix of miners and external contractors are believed to be trapped.
As night fell, officials remained determined.
[Unidentified Man]:
"We haven't given up hope but it is a serious situation."
The cause of the blast is as yet unclear.
