“The directors and management of Valley Longwall are deeply saddened by the news from Greymouth, and we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of all the miners, and especially of course the families of our people – Joseph Dunbar, Benjamin Rockhouse and Josh Ufer,” the company said after the second explosion yesterday.

“All three will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with their families and friends, and we will continue to offer them all the support we can during this very difficult time.”

Ufer worked as a supervisor at the mine and was one of the two Australians unaccounted for after the first explosion.

Dunbar was a 17-year-old apprentice on his first day underground when the first explosion occurred.

Rockhouse’s brother Daniel not only escaped the mine but also helped save sparky Russell Smith.