Auckland, New Zealand — 27 miners are unaccounted for following a significant explosion in a deep coal mine on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island Friday evening local time reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

For the latest on this breaking story we recommend listening live to NewstalkZB.co.nz or reading the latest at NZHerald.co.nz.

WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters say conditions on the Coast are warm and dry tonight but the weather is expected to change overnight for emergency services at the scene.

As of 9pm it was a cloudy but a warm 17 degrees in the area.

The forecast is for patchy light rain and drizzle to set in overnight and throughout Saturday.

WeatherWatch.co.nz staff extend their thoughts and prayers to the familes and rescuers at this difficult time tonight.