'I was saying, 'Please, please help me someone. God, I don't care. Anyone.' - Daniel Rockhouse, who was closest to the blast.

The Pike River coal mine board has rebutted allegations that money woes compromised safety at the mine.

Rescue workers, who have one of their own trapped in the Pike River coal mine, hope a hole being drilled in the mine tonight will reveal air samples allowing them to enter the mine.

These photos tell the story of this tragic event, and of its impact on those involved.

The Pike River mine blast has made global headlines, with two Britons, two Australians and a South African are among the 29 missing.

Praying for a miracle, hundreds attended church services in Greymouth on Sunday morning.

There is a growing sense of despair among the families of the 29 miners who have been trapped at Pike River since Friday.

The hole being drilled by Pike River mine rescuers could allow the miners to communicate with people on the surface.

Families of the 29 men trapped in the Pike River coal mine near Greymouth on the West Coast are being taken to the site.

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.

West Coasters are known for their fighting spirit, which has been tested to the extreme this weekend.

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.

There will be no attempt to rescue 29 miners trapped in a West Coast mine tonight, with no further air quality sampling until tomorrow.

As the West Coast holds its breath in hope for the 29 missing miners, the local league community is thinking of Blair Sims and his family.

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.

West Coasters went about their business today hoping for the best but painfully aware of the grim record of tragedies in mining.

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.