In New Zealand, thirty-six coal miners are missing after an explosion tore through an underground mine in the country's west coast. The blast occurred today at the Pike River coal mine on the South Island's west coast. According to the mining company's chief executive, two miners survived but there had been no contact with any others. Police said a specialist mine rescue team was at the scene assessing how to reach the underground site of the explosion. They, however, said power was cut off by the blast, complicating the rescue operation at the remote location. The mine, which began production last year, has a 2.4 kilometre access tunnel running beneath the Paparoa mountain range to the coal seam. New Zealand Mining Minister Gerry Browlee said the government would put whatever resources were needed into rescuing the miners.