Experts comb steelworks blast

A health and safety investigation is underway into the explosion at the Corus steel plant in Port Talbot, south Wales.

One steelworker died and 13 others were seriously injured in the accident. One person is still missing.

Corus says an escape of molten iron occurred at blast furnace number five and caused the explosion.

Five of the injured are on life-support machines at Morriston Hospital in Swansea and others are being treated for "severe burns".

A spokesman for the hospital commented: "We are very fortunate to have the major Burn Centre for Wales in close proximity to this major industrial facility.

"This has allowed the management of this incident to be processed very effectively.

"At the present time teams of burn surgeons and nurses are assessing and treating the patients with burns and other injuries. We expect the patients to be kept in hospital for some time."

Around 3,000 employees work at the steelworks, which produces some three million tonnes of steel a year for the motor and other industries.

Michael Leahy, general secretary of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation, flew back from a union conference in Australia because of the tragedy.

He said: "This explosion is shocking. Our thoughts are with those who have been injured and the family of the person killed in the tragedy."