Mining disaster, Pike River, New Zealand: please pray for the men, their families and friends, and those involved in their rescue.

From here.

It is looking bleak.
Families hope against irrational hope.
Our boys, Kiwis and Aussies, need to be home
with those that love and care for them.
Whatever is the outcome,
may love, grace, blessing, peace and providence
prevail in the lives of all.

Josh Ufer from Townsville, Queensland

Willy Joynson from Tinana near Maryborough, Queensland

Grew up in Howard, an old coal mining town.

Further reading:

Mine blast:  'considerable force'

(above link includes video with CEO explaining explosion)

Related articles

• New Zealand mine rescue grinds slowly as hopes fade (reuters.com)
• Officials Admit Possible Loss of Life in New Zealand Mine Blast (nytimes.com)
• New Zealand Mine Explosion Traps New Zealand Miners (Video) (rightcelebrity.com)
• "Coverage of the Pike River mine explosion" and related posts (sciencemediacentre.co.nz)
• Robot sent in to assess toxic fume-filled mine as hopes fade for two Britons among 29 miners trapped (dailymail.co.uk)
• Mine blast hurled me about like a rag doll - NZ survivor (thesun.co.uk)
• New Zealand Mine Explosion: Hopes fade for two Britons among 29 miners trapped in toxic fume-filled pit (dailymail.co.uk)
• New Zealand mine explosion: conditions underground - Telegraph.co.uk (news.google.com)
• Australian miner had bags packed (heraldsun.com.au)
• New Zealand mine explosion: conditions underground (telegraph.co.uk)