South African trapped in NZ mine

New Zealand police confirmed Saturday there were five foreign nationals among the 29 people missing after a mine explosion.

The 29 include 24 New Zealanders, two Australians, two Britons and a South African.

There has been no contact with the men since the explosion on Friday afternoon at the Pike River mine on the west coast of the South Island.

Although search teams have been at the site since the blast, they have been held back from entering the shaft because of concerns over possible poisonous gases in the mine.

Among those missing is Ben Rockhouse, whose brother Daniel was one of only two people to escape the blast.