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.
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"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.
