It was Pike River CEO Peter Whittall who broke the news to the miners' families this afternoon, that their worst fears had been realised.

Families of the 29 Pike River mine victims who perished in today's second blast fell to the floor screaming and were in "absolute despair", when they were told the news.

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