14 killed in US oil plant explosion

A massive explosion at a BP oil refinery in Texas has killed at least 14 workers and left dozens injured.

The force of the blast at the Texas City refinery was felt five miles away and sent an enormous column of smoke and flame billowing into the sky.

It ripped a huge crater in the ground, mangled nearby office buildings and showered cars and trucks belonging to workers with ash and twisted metal.

Rescue workers dug through piles of rubble looking for bodies and survivors as the estimated 100 people injured were taken to nearby hospitals suffering from burns, broken bones, cuts and concussion.

The explosion happened in a section of the plant 45 miles south of Houston that is used to boost the octane level of petrol.

A BP spokesman said that the cause was still not known but that terrorism was not suspected.