An explosion occurred at the Pike River Coal mine on New Zealand South Island's West Coast on Friday afternoon, with up to 27 miners remaining inside unaccounted for, police and media reports said.

This aerial photo taken on November 19, 2010 shows smoke coming from the Pike River Coal Mine portal, where up to 36 coal miners are trapped underground after an explosion near Greymouth in New Zealand. The miners are missing after an explosion tore through an underground mine on New Zealand's remote west coast, with fears of another blast frustrating rescue efforts, police said. Two miners survived but there had been no contact with any others, the mining company's chief executive said. (Xinhua/AFP)

At least two people have now emerged from the mine, following the explosion. They have been taken to Westport DHB with moderate injuries.

The two miners indicated three of their colleagues were also on their way to the surface.

Pike River Coal Mine said communication was lost with the 27 following the explosion late on Friday afternoon. Police said there are no reports of fatalities.

Tasman Police communications manager Barbara Dunn said an electrician went into the mine just before 4 p.m. to investigate a power outage and found a loader driver who had been blown off his machine about 1500 meters into the mine shaft.

Dunn said the loader driver and another miner made their own way out. They have moderate injuries and have been taken to Grey Base Hospital.

Dunn said they indicated three others were on their way to the surface, Radio New Zealand reported.

There is no indication yet of the cause of the blast.

Pike River chief executive Peter Whittall told Radio New Zealand earlier in the night one miner who reached the surface confirmed an explosion had occurred.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet