Rescue effort delayed by gas fears

Fears of poisonous and combustible gases are preventing rescuers from entering the New Zealand coalmine where 29 men are missing after an explosion, police said Saturday.

Reuters/Fairfax New Zealand

A specialist mine rescue team is on standby at the Pike River colliery but will not go underground until tests confirmed there had been no buildup of gases in the wake of Friday's blast, police commander Gary Knowles said.

There has been no contact with the men since the explosion blast.

Air samples are being tested and it is hoped that the rescue effort will start by Sunday.

Special equipment was flown in from Australia to test gas levels in the mine and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said her government would meet any requests for assistance.

Five foreign nationals – two Australians, two Britons and a South African – are among the trapped men.