Today's Pike River disaster ranks as the worst national mining disaster in 96 years since 43 coal miners lost their lives at Ralph's Mine, Waikato.

Some of the cars lined up outside the Do Duck Inn Bakery come and go, but others have not moved since Friday.

Unscrupulous reporters have tried posing as victim support workers to gain access to distressed families, reports the Greymouth Star.

A robot sent into the Pike River coal mine has found a miner's hat with the light still on. Footage taken underground will be shown to families at 4pm.

If you haven't got time to read all our in-depth coverage of the Pike River Mine disaster, here's a quick summary of five key things you need to know today.