#PikeRiver – Police say there was a second massive explosion in the Pike River mine today, where 29 miners were trapped.

Superintendent Gary Knowles told the Herald the miners couldn’t have survived a blast of that magnitude, which occurred at 2.37pm.

Family members were seen crying as they left a police briefing a short time ago.

“Unfortunately I have to inform the public of New Zealand at 2.37pm today there was another massive explosion underground and based on that explosion no one would have survived,” Mr Knowles said.

“We are now going into recovery mode. I had to break the news to the family and they were extremely distraught.

“I was at the mine myself when it actually occurred and the blast was prolific, just as severe as the first blast. Indirectly based on the information no one would have survived.”

Mr Knowles said he was with a rescue team when the blast happened and they were in agreement with him that the miners would have “perished”.

Family members were emerging from the meeting crying and some were shouting at media and police. There are a large number of police at the scene.

– NZHerald.co.nz