Video reveals miners' chances 'not good' - mayor

Families have viewed footage of the Pike River mine blast at the Grey District Council offices this afternoon.

They remained composed as the video was played to them.

Lawrie Drew, father of Zen Drew, said the footage was difficult to watch but was "informative and enlightening".

He said not much more information was forthcoming. "We just have to wait until the morning and hold our breath," Mr Drew said.

Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said the footage of the explosion, which occured up to 2.5 kilometres from the outside of the mine, indicated the miners' chances were "not good".

"But there's been a huge amount of not good news too. We have got families there hoping for a miracle and until someone shows us a body we are hoping for a miracle," Mr Kokshoorn said.

The security camera footage capturing evidence of the blast which has trapped the 29 miners was shown at a media conference this evening.

Pike River CEO Peter Whittall said the CCTV footage shows the blast was a "strong symbol" and "was large and went on for a long time."

Mr Whittall pointed out that the mine entrance was the further most point possible from the blast.

However, he did point out that two men survived the explosion and this is what is giving him hope.

"What's sustaining my hope is the information we've had from day one, that survival of a blast of that nature depends on where you're standing. Daniel was only a couple of meters off the road and not in the direct path and got up," he said.

Mr Whittall also said that compressed air was being pumped into the mine since Friday, though he was unsure if it was circulating through the entire mine.

It has now been released to the media.

- NZ Herald staff