One man has died and another three been injured following an explosion at a chemical plant in Co Cork early this morning.
The explosion occurred at the Corden Pharmachem facility in Little Island at around 1.25am
Corden has been at the 20-acre site since 1974
Seven men were taken to Cork University Hospital, where one died from his injuries. Another man is reported to be in a serious condition.
One employee had to go through a decontamination unit in the hospital's A&E department.
The other five men have since been discharged from hospital.
The Health and Safety Authority has opened an investigation at the plant, which makes ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry.
The cause of the incident, which occurred in is not currently known, occurred in the main production facility, is not yet known but is under investigation by both the company and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA said that it is believed there has been no environmental impact from the explosion. The agency is hoping to have staff on the site this afternoon.
Corden Pharmachem has been at the 20-acre site since 1974 and employs 105 people at the facility.
The company released a statement earlier today expressing its sympathies to the family of the dead man.
In March, the EPA began an investigation after two chemical spills occurred at the Little Island plant during the same week.
During one of the incidents, six fire units were called to the plant after a chemical leak was caused by the over-pressurisation of a 200-litre drum in a storage area at the back of the plant.
The Labour Party said today it was concerned about the number of workplace accidents taking place in the region over the past few months.
"Today's explosion was the third such incident in the last two months at this plant alone, while just six months ago, a major fire nearby, destroyed a paint warehouse. Local residents now need reassurance that all
necessary measures are being taken by local factories to prevent any further such accidents," said Kathleen Lynch, Labour Party TD, Cork North Central.
Additional reporting PA