A New Zealand coal mine experienced a gas explosion, 27 miners are missing says MSNBC. Read more after the jump.

A gas explosion ripped through one of New Zealand's largest coal mines Friday while dozens of workers were underground. Five of them, dazed and slightly injured, stumbled to the surface but 27 were missing, officials said.

One was blown off his vehicle by the blast, which happened at about 3:45 p.m. local time (9:45 p.m. ET Thursday), while working about 5,000 feet into the mine.

via 27 missing after New Zealand mine blast - World news - Asia-Pacific - msnbc.com.

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