Two injured after huge explosion rocks Tata steelworks in Port Talbot, Wales

Two people have been injured after a huge explosion rocked the UK’s largest steelworks.

Pictures show a huge mushroom cloud rising from the Tata Steel site in Port Talbot, Wales, after the blast in the early hours of Friday, while locals reported feeling their houses shake.

Emergency services rushed to the site after a flurry of 999 calls at around 3.35am.

South Wales Police said two people had suffered minor injuries in the incident and urged people to avoid the area.

The Unite union told the BBC that the men suffered superficial burns but have been discharged from hospital.

Police said early indications suggested the explosion came from a train used to carry molten metal and it is thought the injured men were on the train.

BBC Wales reported that it is believed the explosion happened on an outside stretch of railway track and was caused by molten metal coming into contact with cold water.

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In a statement, Tata Steel said the explosion came from a train used to carry molten metal.

It said: “Two of our employees suffered minor injuries and both have been released following treatment.

"The spillage led to a number of fires which were extinguished by our own emergency services supported by members of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

"We are currently investigating the cause of the incident and are looking to minimise any impact on production."

One local resident tweeted: "There was just a big explosion from port Talbot steelworks that just shook the house, hoping no one was hurt."

Sharing a picture of the blazing complex, Damian Healy wrote on Twitter: “The steel works is the heart of this town, our workers Notre Dame.”

Aberavon MP Stephen Kinnock said the incident "raises real concerns about safety at the works" and called for a full review by Tata Steel to improve safely.

He said: "It could have been a lot worse. Grateful as always to the emergency services for their rapid and effective response," he wrote on Twitter.