E104:05 8 August 2005

Corus Inquest: HSE statement following verdict

The Inquest into the deaths of three men, which resulted from an explosion at the Corus steelworks at Port Talbot, Wales, on 8 November 2001, has resulted in a verdict of accidental death. The verdict was announced on Friday 5 August at Swansea’s Guildhall.

Terry Rose, Health and Safety Director for Wales, has released the following statement on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive:

"This has been a long and complex inquest with testimony from more than 50 witnesses. We will need to consider carefully the implications of the evidence given to the Coroner and the subsequent judgement, including whether there is any case to answer by any of the parties under Health and Safety law. This is likely to take several months.

"We will continue to keep informed the deceased men’s families of our progress."

Notes to editors

On 8 November 2001 a major fire and explosion occurred within blast furnace No 5, of the Corus steelworks at Port Talbot, which destroyed its integrity and allowed an unknown quantity of extremely flammable and toxic blast furnace gas (mainly carbon monoxide) to be released.

Media contacts: Nadia Nuaimi on: Tel: 0117 900 3566 or 07799 417 530 email: nadia.nuaimi@gnn.gsi.gov.uk