Three miners trapped underground following an explosion at a mine in Germany have died.
Four others were rescued from the potash mine in the small town of Unterbreizbach in the state of Thuringia, German potash and salt company K + S said.
The powerful blast occurred 700m below ground at about 12pm local time.
It was caused by an earlier controlled detonation that led to a carbon dioxide leak, K + S spokesman Michael Wudonig said.
The area immediately surrounding the explosion was evacuated, however, officials said the town of 3800 was not in any danger.
"Three are dead, the four others are unharmed," said a spokeswoman for the industrial site.
The three who died were aged 24, 50 and 56, K + S said in a statement.
"Having a carbon dioxide leak is an everyday occurrence," said spokesman Ulrich Goebel for mine operator K + S Potash, a unit of K + S, the world's biggest salt maker.
"But it is highly unusual to have such a large quantity seep out so that the gas penetrates the mine shaft and escapes above ground."
Two mines and an above-ground work area were "protectively evacuated", the company said.
K + S Potash operates six mines in Germany, producing salt for the agricultural, healthcare and food industries.
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