Gas 'Blow-Out' Kills Man At East Cleveland Mine

A man has been killed after a "sudden and powerful release of gas" at one of Europe's deepest mines.

John Anderson was killed in the underground blast at the mine in Boulby, East Cleveland, which produces potash, a key ingredient in making fertiliser.

It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) is 1,400m deep and stretches out far under the North Sea.

ICL UK, which operates the mine, said the gas "blow-out" took place in the early hours of Friday.

All other workers were safely evacuated from the site and mine inspectors informed of the blast, the company said.

The emergency services and the mine's rescue team are working at the scene and an investigation has been launched into what happened.

Cleveland Police said officers were alerted to the incident at around 5.20am.

The force confirmed the fatality and said officers remained at the scene.

"We are working to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident," it said in a statement.

The mine is reportedly the area's largest private employer, with around 800 staff.

TFM reporter Hannah Smith, at the scene, told Sky News: "As far as I am aware there isn't a danger to the public around here.

"It's not a very populated area. Sprawling fields of East Cleveland surround the mine itself."

In April, seven workers were taken to hospital for checks following an underground fire at the mine.

Last year the firm announced job losses in a "significant restructuring" of its operations, including moving from producing potash to Polysulphate fertiliser.

Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop, who represents Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "We cannot allow this death to go unmarked.

"Over the last decade and a half, the mine has been a safe working environment, certainly compared to years past where accidents were more frequent.

"However, In the space of just a few months we have seen two tragic incidents. I am concerned that this must not become a pattern. Mines legislation requires a full investigation, and I need to be reassured that this will indeed happen.

"I would also want to be reassured that recent redundancies at the mine have not altered day to day working practices to the extent that risk may have been allowed to creep back in.

"In the near future I will want to meet with both the mine owners, ICL Ltd, and the mine unions on these issues," he added.