70 feared dead in Texas chemical plant explosion
Up to 15 people were killed and hundreds more injured in a massive explosion at a fertiliser factory in the US.
A fireball ripped through the plant near Waco, Texas, this morning with the blast being heard 45 miles away.
Five firefighters were missing among the wreckage today and dozens of homes were evacuated over fears of a secondary explosion at the plant.
Almost 200 victims were admitted to hospitals with blast wounds and other injuries.
Chilling footage of the explosion, captured by a man and his child just yards away from the blast, today revealed the sheer terror of the blast.
In it, the youngster is heard repeatedly screaming out: "Get out of here. Please get out of here. Daddy, please get out of here".
The massive explosion had the same impact as a 2.1 magnitude earthquake, experts said.
Police this afternoon said they were still in "search and rescue mode" but described a scene of "massive devastation".
Rescue efforts have been hampered due to hazardous chemicals in the air following the explosion. Dozens of homes and buildings were destroyed amid reports that the company had 20 tonnes of anhydrous ammonia, which is believed to have caused the explosion, on the site.
Some people were thought still to be trapped in buildings and a number of firefighters are reported missing.
It is believed that 160 people have been hospitalised, with 24 people in a critical state and 38 in a serious condition. Many were suffering with breathing difficulties because of the effects of inhaling chemicals.
Reports suggested a nursing home had collapsed in the explosion and some people were believed trapped inside.
