Families of the dead men due to be bused to the Pike River mine tomorrow will still go, despite a third explosion at the mine this afternoon.

There has been a third explosion at the Pike River mine this afternoon. The blast occurred at 3.39pm and lasted for 23 seconds.

A third robot that has gone 1575m into the Pike River coal mine has detected debris and destruction indicating Wednesday's blast was much more violent than the first one.

It is likely to be several more days before operations will start to stabilise the Pike River mine so that the bodies of 29 men can recovered, police say.

A Pike River Relief Fund Trust has been established for the families of the 29 men who died in the Pike River coal mine.

A small West Coast community will now face the task of recovering and rebuilding following a disaster of devastating proportions.

International experts say they are shocked a mining disaster the magnitude of the Pike River tragedy occurred in a modern mine.

Liquid nitrogen could be used to stabilise the situation in the Pike River mine, experts told the Science Media Centre.

The ACC will ensure money is the least of the worries for the families of the Pike River 29, says ACC Minister Nick Smith.

Even the biggest concert of the year acknowledged the sombre mood of the nation. U2's Bono said the band felt privileged to be

Police Commissioner Howard Broad today praised the work of Superintendent Gary Knowles, the police officer who led the mission to rescue 29 miners.

Check here for developments in the wake of the Pike River mine disaster today.

Pike River CEO Peter Whittall expressed his regret today at how he initially delivered his news to the families of the 29 miners lost in the disaster.

Levels of dangerous gases at the Pike River mine are still high and rescuers are unable to enter to recover the bodies of 29 trapped men, police said this afternoon.

World leaders are sending support and sympathy to the families of the men who died at the Pike River coal mine.

Rescue authorities are vowing to recover the bodies of the 29 miners - but admit they don't know when it will happen.

'People find just that extra little bit, they take a deep breath, they will raise the bar…,' Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn says.

The abrupt certainty of a second blast at Pike River shattered hundreds of loving hearts.

The Pike River CEO had to give the worst news possible to families who had looked to him for hope.

The first four hours after Friday's Pike River mine blast was the only time rescuers could have entered the mine, a safety expert says.

Before the service began, 29 candles flickered on a table near the altar surrounded by many unlit candles waiting to be lit by mourners.

'It's the finality of the second explosion that rips at the guts of the country,' John Key tells media.