Four people were rescued from a burning mine in Askersund

At 17.40 on Monday evening, SOS was alerted that a truck was burning in the Zink mine in Askersund.

"The fire is down to 1,200 meters deep, it's almost at the bottom of the mine," said Hans Lindblom on SOS alarm.

Several rescue units were dispatched to the site and smoke divers descended into the mine.

 - Four people in the staff sit in a so-called rescue chamber where they have air for at least nine more hours. We are working full time to both extinguish the fire and get the personnel out, said Nils Weslien, rescue commander in readiness at Nerike fire brigade initially.

Just before midnight the fire was extinguished and the people were above ground.

- They are physically damaged and they will be offered call support, says Monica Andersson, communications manager for the Zinc mine mining.