While residents gather and families worry, hospital staff and funeral directors prepare themselves for all scenarios.

International mining experts have raised concerns about safety issues at Pike River Coal which may have led to the explosion.

A second night passes with no word from the 29 trapped miners in the Pike River mine. Families cling to hope as experts fear the worst.

West Coast mine blast survivor suffers a double tragedy after his brother was trapped, and his grandfather died.

An Australian mine expert says there is no urgent need to reach the trapped miners "at this point in time", backing the Pike River rescue approach.

With luck, the country will receive news that the brave 29 are back above ground and telling tall tales over a beer.

Police say a bid to rescue or recover 29 miners trapped in a West Coast coal mine is on hold, and could begin at any time over the next two days.

Mining companies around the world face a constant struggle to avoid accumulations of methane gas and coal dust underground.

Since its announcement in 2005, the Herald has tracked the progress of the Pike River coal mine.

The two men who managed to get out of the Pike River mine clambered up a narrow chimney to escape.

Cabinet ministers were last night travelling to the Pike River Mine, as the Government offered assistance in the rescue of the trapped miners.

The Herald's energy reporter, who has visited Pike River, reflects on the project's delays, and now disaster.

Methane gas has long been identified as a potential problem for the Pike River Coal mine, as rescuers scramble to find up to 27 missing miners.

Send your messages of support to the families and friends of the trapped West Coast miners.

Four car parking spaces have been removed from the scene of a fatal crash involving a cyclist in Auckland earlier this week.