Funds are continuing to pour in for the families of the 29 victims of the Pike River mine tragedy.

Deployment of the "GAG" unit at the Pike River coal mine has been delayed after a fire at the entrance to the mine this morning. Rescuers are trying to extinguish a coal fire so the bodies of 29 trapped men can be recovered.

Nightmares about the 12 Queensland miners he could not save have haunted John Brady for more than 20 years.

Present and past Govt ministers are likely to come under scrutiny from the royal commission of inquiry into the Pike River mine tragedy.

Families of the 29 men who died in the Pike River mine continue to be frustrated that the recovery of the bodies is still not underway as a massive fire, with flames shooting through a mine shaft, continues to burn.

The Royal Commission into the Pike River mine tragedy will be headed by High Court Judge Graham Panckhurst.

The Pike River Coal mine may have to be temporarily sealed after a fourth blast sent smoke and flames spewing from underground.

A royal commission of inquiry into the Pike River tragedy will look at causes of the blast and the initial response.

Jim O'Donnell helped drag his dead mates out of the Strongman mine in a marathon rescue.

Large amounts of smoke and flames are coming from the Pike River Coal mine after a fourth, powerful explosion today and boss Peter Whittall says it may have to be temporarily sealed.

The Prime Minister and Governor-General will speak at a memorial for the 29 men who died in the Pike River Coal mine.

John Key will take a proposal for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Pike River mining disaster to Cabinet tomorrow.

The Pike River blast has led some miners to discuss whether it is safe to remain in the industry.

An NZ Mines Rescue member wants the public to understand what the rescue team members are going through.

One of the miners who died at Pike River told a friend he feared for his safety in the month before last week's explosion.

"What gave armchair critics the right to criticise and worse - accuse the rescuers of deliberately sitting on their hands?"