Two people have been killed after an underground explosion at a mine in the Australian state of New South Wales.
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.
A man was confirmed dead at the scene and two women were brought to the surface, but one later died. The second woman was airlifted to hospital suffering hearing damage and shock.
A report will be prepared for the coroner and an investigation into the incident will be carried out by the state's workplace safety authority.
Cobar Mayor Jarrod Marsden said it was an "absolutely tragic" situation, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
