New Zealand mine: 'No survivors' after second blast

All 29 miners trapped in a New Zealand coal pit since Friday are believed to be dead after a second explosion.

Police Supt Gary Knowles said there was no hope that anyone could have survived the "massive" underground blast at the Pike River mine on South Island.

Prime Minister John Key said the loss of life was a national tragedy.

There had been no contact with the men - 24 New Zealanders, two Australians, two Britons and a South African - since the first explosion on Friday.

The Britons were Peter Roger, 40, and Malcolm Campbell, 25, who were both originally from Scotland.

The mayor of Greymouth, the town nearest the mine, said the miners' families were in "absolute despair" after hearing of the news.

'Still hoping'

Supt Knowles, who was leading the rescue operation, said there had been another explosion at 1437 local time (0137 GMT) inside the mine.

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“Start Quote

People shouted out in anger, they are sickened by the whole thing. A lot of them felt misled... This is the West Coast's darkest hour”

Tony KokshoornGrey District mayor

"It is our belief that no-one has survived and everyone will have perished,"

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