A tragic explosion at an underground mine in Cobar, New South Wales, has resulted in the deaths of two individuals. Emergency services responded to the incident on Endeavour Mine Road around 3:45 a.m. on Tuesday. The mine is located approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Sydney.

Upon arrival, police confirmed that a man had died at the scene due to the explosion. Two women were rescued from the mine, but one of them succumbed to her injuries shortly after being brought to the surface. The second woman was airlifted to a hospital, where she is being treated for hearing damage and shock.

Authorities have stated that emergency services remained on-site throughout the morning. The New South Wales Resources Regulator has initiated an investigation into the incident, emphasizing that it is premature to comment further while the inquiry is ongoing.

Cobar Shire Council Mayor Jarrod Marsden expressed the community's devastation over the incident. "We’re smashed, I don’t know what other word to use, to be honest. It’s still pretty raw and fresh," he said. Marsden noted that the tragedy has impacted the entire town, as the victims were familiar faces in the community. "These are people that worked together every day, these are the people you saw down the street, the people you see in the pub. It’s tragic. These are two families – their lives will be impacted forever," he added.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns extended his condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased workers. He described the day as heartbreaking for the Cobar community and the mining industry as a whole. "We understand investigations are still under way. The number one priority in any mine must be safety. Everyone who goes to work has the right to come home," he stated. Minns acknowledged that while safety protocols in mining have improved, the fatalities serve as a sobering reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance.

Courtney Houssos, the state minister for natural resources, expressed her sadness regarding the incident. Tony Callinan, a spokesperson for the NSW Mine Workers’ Alliance, called for a thorough investigation by the mine operator and regulator. "The alliance is in shock this morning with news of these fatalities. We will leave no stone unturned in identifying what has occurred here. This is a tragic reminder that underground mining is a dangerous job," he said.

The mine, which is a significant underground silver, zinc, and lead operation, is located 40 kilometers north of Cobar. It was acquired by Polymetals in 2024 and is the second-largest project in the polymetallic region known as the Cobar Basin. Copper and gold mining are the primary employment sectors in the area, underscoring the importance of safety in these operations.