Explosion reported at steel plant in Japan

Television have pictures showed clouds of smoke billowing from a Japanese steel plant, with one broadcaster reporting 12 people had been hurt in a blast.

At least six people are reported rushed to hospital after an explosion at a steel plant in central Japan.

Television pictures on Wednesday showed clouds of black smoke billowing from the Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal facility in Tokai, with one broadcaster reporting 12 people had been hurt in the blast.

The explosion came after a fire at the factory earlier this year.

No one was hurt in that incident at the plant where 3000 employees were engaged in producing steel sheets and pipes.