All miners presumed dead after second 'horrific' blast

The workers, who include two Scots, could not have survived the "horrific" second explosion and rescue teams were "now in recovery mode", police said.

Pete Rodger, 40, from Perthshire, and Malcolm Campbell, 25, from St Andrews, were among the men missing following Friday's initial blast at Pike River mine in Atarau on South Island.

Superintendent Gary Knowles said: "Today there was another massive explosion underground and, based on that explosion, no-one would have survived. We are now in recovery mode.

"The blast was horrific, just as severe as the first blast.

"Based on the expert advice I have been given, it's our belief there would have been no survivors.

"I had to break the news to the families and they were extremely distraught."

Family members shouted and fell to the floor after they were told, one witness said.

Rescue teams had been unable to go into the mine after Friday's first blast because of high levels of toxic gases.

Pike River mine chief executive Peter Whittall said the rescue teams were not doing anything that could have triggered the second blast.

"It was a natural eventuation. It could have happened on the second day, it could have happened on the third day," he said.

Mr Campbell had worked at the mine for two years and was due to marry his fiancee Amanda Shields, 23, on December 18.

His parents Malcolm and Jane Campbell last week spoke of their hopes for their son, saying: "We can't concentrate on anything, we can't sleep."

Former Perth Grammar pupil Mr Rodger, who previously worked on oil rigs, moved to New Zealand two years ago to be near his mother and sister who emigrated there.

New Zealand's prime minister John Key said New Zealand was "a nation in mourning". He said: "Where this morning we held on to hope, we must now make way for sorrow."