Rescuers in New Zealand inched closer Saturday to entering a mine where 29 men have been trapped underground for more than 20 hours, but were still awaiting confirmation that the atmosphere within the mine was safe to launch the operation.
Authorities hoped to send a rescue crew inside the Pike River coal mine "within the hour" Saturday afternoon after three of four air quality tests showed improvement, local reporter Robyn Janes said.
The men, ages 17 to 62, were trapped in the mine after an explosion around 4 p.m. Friday New Zealand time, and have not been heard from since.
Authorities have delayed rescue efforts until they could be sure the atmosphere inside the mine is safe. Gas testing equipment has been flown in from Australia to help with the rescue operation.
Saturday morning, authorities met with family members of the miners and contractors trapped in the mine, which is located on New Zealand's west coast, between Greymouth and Reefton.
"This is an extremely worrying time for the families and friends as they await news from their loved ones," said Superintendent Gary Knowles.
Explosion at New Zealand coal mine
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Mining Accidents and Disasters
New Zealand
Although no contact has been made, officials remain hopeful the trapped men found refuge near a ventilation shaft and may be getting fresh air from a broken compressor pipe.
Two miners emerged from the mine, about 90 miles northwest of Christchurch, with moderate injuries, authorities said
Emergency crews have interviewed the two miners, trying to determine what happened, but they were unable to pinpoint a cause, officials said. The miners had moderate blast injuries, with one being treated in the emergency room and the other in a ward of a hospital. Both were up, "walking and talking," police said.
TV New Zealand reported that Prime Minister John Key has said the situation could be very serious and pledged "any support that is required." The Australian government has also offered support, he said.
"It is absolutely awful," Pike River CEO Peter Whittall told TV New Zealand. "At the moment, our real focus is on our people down there."
According to early accounts, an electrician went into the mine to investigate a power outage and discovered a driver who had been blown off his loader about 1,500 meters (0.9 miles) into the mine shaft. Communications underground were cut when the explosion happened, Whittall said.
A special mine rescue team was among the many emergency workers on the scene.
Tasman District Police said families of the missing miners were being directed to a welfare center at the Red Cross Hall in Greymouth, about an hour from the mine site.
A Facebook page devoted to the rescue effort has attracted more than 3,000 supporters who wished the miners well, offered prayers and asked for information.
The entrance to the mine is about 2.2 kilometers (1.36 miles) long and then branches out, police said.
There are two routes out of the mine, Whittall said. Unlike the Chilean mine, where 33 miners were rescued in mid-October, the Pike River mine has steep terrain, and the shafts run horizontally into the hill, not vertically into the ground, he told TV New Zealand.