Today we have a potential disaster to worry about as 29 miners are trapped 1500mts in the mine. There is much to be concerned about, especially the presence of methane gas.

There is no communication right now and we await news of a successful rescue. Hopes for the miners and their families are in our thoughts at this difficult time as well as with those charged with the task of bringing them safely out.

I sincerely hope I'm wrong but I fear the chances of those miners being alive is almost zero. What I find strange is that the rescue team has not gone in. They are equipped with breathing apparatus so the presence of methane should not have stopped them.

I think they are worried that there will be another methane gas explosion Dally...theres always a chance and its that thought we must hang onto. I hope OKK's family are all safe...thats her territory

I think attitudes have changed over the years (OSH and all that) I don't mean to sound bullish and that but as an ex member of a mine rescue team as soon as the electrical power was switched off we would have gone in. Those were the old days of course

"What I find strange is that the rescue team has not gone in. They are equipped with breathing apparatus so the presence of methane should not have stopped them."

Me too Dally. A bloke on another forum who has mining experience at various places,including Oz & I think he said Chile,said that NZ mining rescue is decades behind other places. I hope he's wrong &I hope they all come out safely.

I watched our news and then, in the early hours, watched BBC and Aljazeera and learnt more from their news than ours.

It's comforting to know that each miner is equipped with individual oxygen packs.

It's something that can't be hurried but I just hope that `rules' don't get in the way. The man who bled to death in a shooting in Auckland because St John wasn't allowed in `just in case' comes to mind.

If I understood it correctly this mine has had a few issues in the past. Scary thought. Here's praying for a good outcome.

Having never been in a mine nor had connections with miners, unless the fact that my dad worked in a West Coast mine when he arrived in NZ. makes a difference. The business of getting to the men is best left to the guys who know what they are doing. Hot air and speculation and gungho is not the way to go. They will go when they know or think it is safe, both for them and the miners. It is a long walk in, not like crossing the road. They don't know what they will face or even if the way is open.

My post was was not meant to be hot air or gungho. I have been a member of a coal mine rescue team and just find it strange that they have waited so long to go in.

THE RESCUE TEAM NEED TO GET IN THERE YESTERDAY!!!!!!!

Is this rescue been reported by Discovery,where most information was with held from the other mine collapse?.The Families are down there,so they are the main ones to be notified,as for us.If discovery have Sole rights to this rescue program,not much news will be heard,so as not to Jeopardise Dicoveries Program.

We have as much news as anyone I believe. I am wondering why, if oxygen can be got to them why not some form of communication as well. We do not know if they are alive and if the rescuers are going to walk in to bring them out why can't the miners walk out to meet them. is there a collapse in the tunnel blocking the way and if so, what is going to clear it? So much which is not being talked about.

According to stuff one of the miner's partners had a fuzzy cell phone call from just after the explosion,but nothing since. Which sounds quite hopeful.

I can understand that they have be careful where there's poisonous gas - but do the rescuers not have breathing apparatus? Or is it unsafe to use it in a mine?
Those poor families - I'm sure that if a rescue attempt isn't put in motion by the end of today,being Coasters,some will want to take matters into their own hands. Hope they can make an attempt at it before it gets to that stage.