A man has died following a gas "blow-out" accident at a deep mine in Cleveland, its owner ICL UK says.
According to police, the incident occured at around 5:20am at Boulby mine in north-east England.
Boulby mine is one of the deepest mines in Europe, which produces potash, an important ingredient in fertilisers.
The emergency services and the mine's rescue team are working at the scene, where ICL UK said the employee died following “a sudden and powerful release of gas” in the early hours.
Tom Blenkinsop, the Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said on Twitter the man had been named as miner John Anderson.
"ICL name John Anderson, my constituent, as miner who was killed this am at Boulby. Thoughts and prayers with his family," he wrote.
All other employees were safely evacuated, the firm has said.
Earlier, Mr Blenkinsop said: “There has been a serious incident believed to be a gas explosion and we are waiting for further details about what has happened.”
He said his “thoughts and prayers” were with the workforce.
In a statement, ICL UK said investigations had begun with senior mine management and the police, with Her Majesty's Mines Inspectorate going underground to examine the scene, according to local newspaper the Gazette.
There was an underground fire at the mine in April, which left seven workers affected by smoke and they were taken to hospital for checks.
Last year the company announced job losses in a “significant restructuring” of its operations, including moving from producing potash to polysulphate fertiliser.
Boulby mine, built in 1968, is 1,400 metres deep and its tunnels go far out under the North Sea.
It has been part of the ICL group since 2002.
