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Blast firms admit safety charges Blast firms admit safety charges
(20 minutes later)
The operators of a Glasgow plastics factory where nine people died in an explosion three years ago have pleaded guilty to health and safety charges.The operators of a Glasgow plastics factory where nine people died in an explosion three years ago have pleaded guilty to health and safety charges.
ICL Tech Limited and ICL Plastics Limited admitted four charges at the High Court in Glasgow.ICL Tech Limited and ICL Plastics Limited admitted four charges at the High Court in Glasgow.
The companies will be sentenced later this month.The companies will be sentenced later this month.
The court had earlier been told that the explosion happened after petroleum gas ignited in a pipe which had been corroding over the years.The court had earlier been told that the explosion happened after petroleum gas ignited in a pipe which had been corroding over the years.
On Friday, prosecutor Angus Stewart QC told the court: "The ICL explosion was the worst factory accident in Scotland since the James Watt Street fire in Glasgow in 1968, in which 22 people perished.
Rescue workers searched for 72 hours for survivorsIn pictures
"In the ICL tragedy, nine people died in the explosion and subsequent building collapse, but more were also pulled from the rubble very seriously injured.
"Others have been left permanently traumatised although without physical injury.
"It is particularly poignant that individuals are killed and maimed in the course of their day's work."
He added that a written narrative setting out the circumstances of the tragedy would be read out when the case returns to court on 27 August.
It is expected that the hearing will last for two days.
Emergency services
Nine people died and 24 were injured in the blast on 11 May, 2004, in the Maryhill area of the city.Nine people died and 24 were injured in the blast on 11 May, 2004, in the Maryhill area of the city.
The red-brick factory collapsed with the force of the explosion, trapping people in the rubble.The red-brick factory collapsed with the force of the explosion, trapping people in the rubble.
Survivors were pulled from the wreckage in a massive operation by emergency services which lasted several days.Survivors were pulled from the wreckage in a massive operation by emergency services which lasted several days.
Margaret Brownlie, Annette Doyle, Peter Ferguson, Thomas McAuley, Stewart McColl, Tracey McErlane, Kenneth Murray, Tim Smith and Ann Trench lost their lives in the explosion.Margaret Brownlie, Annette Doyle, Peter Ferguson, Thomas McAuley, Stewart McColl, Tracey McErlane, Kenneth Murray, Tim Smith and Ann Trench lost their lives in the explosion.