Poison gas fears stall New Zealand mine rescue

Pike River coal mine located in New Zealand had an explosion, emitting poisonous or combustible gases, made it difficult for rescue teams to enter the coal mine to save 29 missing men. The rescue team hopes to enter the coal mine when collected air sample is analysed to be cleared of poisonous gas. Otherwise, it would be dangerous for the rescue team as a mixture of subterranean gases and coal dust would trigger another explosion. 29 missing people is said to be between the ages of 17-62 years old.

News of the explosion only arrived when communication was lost with the miners and an electrician was sent to check things out had discovered a worker lying on the ground.
In aid of the search team, Australia had sent special equipments to test the gas levels in the mine and Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard said that the government would assist them if they require assistance.

However, the cause of the explosion was unknown as the day shift people did not report any problems. 

The article appealed to me as I saw the title “poison gas fears stall New Zealand mine rescue” so I was curious wanting to find out more about the incident.

I would like to ask the writer to talk more about the cause of the incident as he just briefly talked about the causes of the explosion

If I was in charge of the situation, I would have some people guarding outside the mine so that they would know if something bad had happened instead of communicating through devices. However, if I was the search commander controlling the situation, I would do the same thing as the search commander not to dispatch the rescue team without proving that its save for them to enter.