12/05/2004

Seven killed in Glasgow factory blast

The death toll in the explosion at a Glasgow plastics factory has risen to seven.

Four bodies had been recovered at the scene last night and early this morning rescue workers discovered three further bodies as rescue teams continued to work through the night.

Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell visited the site and praised the efforts of the fire, police and ambulance services. He had earlier visited the Western Infirmary and a local community centre where he met survivors and relatives waiting to hear news of people still believed to be missing following the explosion.

Rescuers remain hopeful that more survivors can be pulled from the factory ruins - people at earthquake sites have survived being buried for days. Teams working overnight reported hearing tapping coming from within one section of the wreckage and dog handlers have also identified areas where efforts today were concentrated.

Strathclyde police said it is still not clear exactly how many people were in the building when the blast occurred. But seven people are confirmed to have been killed and over 30 injured as a result of the massive explosion that brought down the roof of the building at around midday yesterday.

Initial reports indicated that 16 people were believed to have been trapped in the debris of the shattered building.

Yesterday a fleet of ambulances ferried the dead and injured to nearby hospitals, but many people had made their own way to casualty.

The blast at Stockline Plastics, in Grove Park Street in the city, is thought to have been caused when an industrial oven exploded.

A hotline has been set up and anyone who may have relatives involved in the incident should call 0870 9009586.

(sp/gmcg)

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