Two workers were killed after a powerful explosion ripped through a mine in southern Brazil early Monday, Brazilian Military Police said.
The accident occurred when an oxygen cylinder burst in the mine in Lauro Muller city in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina, at about 4:00 a.m. (0700 GMT).
Twenty-five of the trapped workers have already been evacuated, of whom seven have been sent to hospital, police said.
The bodies of the two victims have been finally recovered.
According to local media reports, the mine has an underground passage of up to six kilometres which could complicate the rescue operation.
The company already got in touch with families of the workers to inform them about the accident and provide assistance to those injured.
Local media said the city of Lauro Muller is "in a situation of emergency" because of devastation of torrential rains and strong wind during the passage of a subtropical cyclone during last week-end.