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 confirmed that a man in his 60s died at the scene, while two women in their 20s were rescued from the site. One woman later succumbed to her injuries, while the other was airlifted to the hospital suffering from minor injuries, including hearing damage and shock.
A report will be prepared for the coroner, and the state's workplace safety authority has initiated an investigation into the incident.
Cobar Mayor Jarrod Marsden described the event as “absolutely tragic,” stating, “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 during this difficult time.
The Endeavor mine has a long history, operating continuously from 1982 until 2020, before being bought by Polymetals Resources in 2023, which was in the process of restarting silver, zinc, and lead production.
NSW Premier Chris Minns extended his condolences to the workers' families, remarking that this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance in worker safety protocols in the mining industry.
