Pretoria - One of the 29 miners trapped underground after an explosion at New Zealand's Pike River Coal mine is South African, the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) confirmed on Sunday.
The workers, who include 24 New Zealanders, two Australians, two British citizens and one South African, are believed to be trapped about 2km along the horizontal tunnel burrowed into the side of a mountain about 150 meters below the surface.
There has been no contact with the workers since the explosion on Friday afternoon.
South Africa's High Commissioner in Wellington, Anthony Mongalo, who has been consulting New Zealand authorities, has been informed that preparations to embark on a rescue mission are underway.
"As government we wish the authorities all the luck in their rescue mission and our prayers and thoughts are with the victims' families and loved ones," the department said in a statement.
Rescue efforts are currently being hampered as air samples taken from the mine indicate there is a risk of further explosions.
Pike River CEO Peter Whittall said at a press conference on Sunday that a rig will attempt to drill 150m into the Pike River mine to take air samples. He expects the drilling to break through on Sunday evening.
Whittall said preliminary tests showed there was some combustion of material in the mine generating heat and gases, including poisonous carbon monoxide. While gas levels in the mine appear to be reducing, rather than increasing, the situation is still unsafe to send in a rescue team.
