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Blast firms admit safety charges Blast firms admit safety charges
(about 1 hour 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 Ltd and ICL Plastics admitted four charges at the High Court in Glasgow. They will be sentenced later.
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. Relatives of six of the victims have renewed calls for a public inquiry.
In a statement, the families of Annette Doyle, Peter Ferguson, Kenneth Murray, Tracey McErlane, Tim Smith and Ann Trench said their lives had been on hold since the explosion.
Rescue workers searched for 72 hours for survivorsIn picturesRescue 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. "We have finally found out what caused the deaths and how our loved ones died," they said.
"However, no court case or penalty imposed by the courts will bring our families back or provide an explanation as to why they died, there is no explanation that could satisfactorily or rationally justify why nine individuals left their homes on the morning of 11 May, 2004, never to return again.
"It is now time for the concerns of the families to be taken into account and we continue to call for a wide-reaching public inquiry that provides us with answers as to why these health and safety breaches occurred."
Prosecutor Angus Stewart QC told the court that the explosion was the worst factory accident in Scotland since the James Watt Street fire in Glasgow in 1968, in which 22 people died.
"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," he said.
GLASGOW BLAST VICTIMS Margaret Brownlie, 49, StrathavenAnnette Doyle, 34, GlasgowPeter Ferguson, 52, KilbarchanThomas McAulay, 41, Mount Florida, GlasgowStewart McColl, 60, West KilbrideTracey McErlane, 27, Possilpark, GlasgowKenneth Murray, 45, PaisleyTimothy Smith, 31, JohnstoneAnn Trench, 34, Colston, Glasgow
"Others have been left permanently traumatised although without physical injury."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.""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. He said the companies had not done everything possible to prevent the "tragedy".
Mr Stewart said the circumstances which led to the explosion had unfolded over a period of 35 years.
He said the views on risk assessment, and the physical characteristics of the plant, had changed over this period.
Mr Stewart 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.
Massive operation
It is expected that the hearing will last for two days.It is expected that the hearing will last for two days.
Emergency services Catherine Dyer, area procurator fiscal for Glasgow, said the guilty plea had spared the survivors and relatives of victims the "additional trauma" and uncertainty of a trial.
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 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.