'I was saying, 'Please, please help me someone. God, I don't care. Anyone.' - Daniel Rockhouse, who was closest to the blast.

Rescue workers, who have one of their own trapped in the Pike River coal mine, hope a hole being drilled in the mine tonight will reveal air samples allowing them to enter the mine.

These photos tell the story of this tragic event, and of its impact on those involved.

It's been revealed a member of the mine rescue team is among those trapped. Officials say gas levels inside the mine are falling, but unstable.

The backgrounds of the missing men are as wide and varied as their ages, hailing from as far abroad as Scotland and Africa. Meet the miners.

As rescue crews wait for the go-ahead to enter the Pike River mine, it's becoming clear just how difficult and dangerous a rescue attempt could be.

The Pike River mine blast has made global headlines, with two Britons, two Australians and a South African are among the 29 missing.

The hole being drilled by Pike River mine rescuers could allow the miners to communicate with people on the surface.

Remembering the men who perished in the Pike River mine blast.

Families of the 29 men trapped in the Pike River coal mine near Greymouth on the West Coast are being taken to the site.

While residents gather and families worry, hospital staff and funeral directors prepare themselves for all scenarios.

West Coasters are known for their fighting spirit, which has been tested to the extreme this weekend.

A second night passes with no word from the 29 trapped miners in the Pike River mine. Families cling to hope as experts fear the worst.

International mining experts have raised concerns about safety issues at Pike River Coal which may have led to the explosion.

There will be no attempt to rescue 29 miners trapped in a West Coast mine tonight, with no further air quality sampling until tomorrow.

West Coast mine blast survivor suffers a double tragedy after his brother was trapped, and his grandfather died.

An Australian mine expert says there is no urgent need to reach the trapped miners "at this point in time", backing the Pike River rescue approach.

West Coasters went about their business today hoping for the best but painfully aware of the grim record of tragedies in mining.

With luck, the country will receive news that the brave 29 are back above ground and telling tall tales over a beer.

Police say a bid to rescue or recover 29 miners trapped in a West Coast coal mine is on hold, and could begin at any time over the next two days.

He avoided yesterday's Pike River blast by minutes - now a miner waits for news of trapped workmates.

Mining companies around the world face a constant struggle to avoid accumulations of methane gas and coal dust underground.

Rescue crews will face a number of challenges as they work towards accessing the area where 29 coal miners are believed to be trapped.