Two people have been killed after an underground explosion at a mine in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW).
Emergency services were called to the Endeavor mine at Cobar, about 700km (435 miles) northwest of Sydney, in the early hours of Tuesday after reports that two people had been critically injured.
Police said a man, in his 60s, was confirmed dead at the scene and two women, both in their 20s, were brought to the surface. One later died while the second woman was airlifted to hospital for minor injuries, including hearing damage and shock.
A report will be prepared for the coroner, and an investigation into the incident will be conducted by the state's workplace safety authority.
Cobar Mayor Jarrod Marsden described the situation as "absolutely tragic". He noted, The most valuable thing to come out of a mine are the miners, and two families don't get to see their loved ones anymore. He emphasized the tight-knit nature of the Cobar community and the support for the affected families.
According to the Endeavor mine's website, the mine operated from 1982 until 2020. It was purchased by Polymetals Resources in 2023, and the company was in the process of restarting mining activities.
NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed condolences to the families and stressed the importance of maintaining vigilant safety protocols in the industry, stating that while safety measures have improved, incidents like this serve as reminders of the inherent risks associated with mining.
