THE bodies of two Celsa steelworkers who died in an explosion at the firm’s site in Cardiff have been recovered, police have confirmed.

The two members of staff unaccounted for at the steelworks site in Splott were Mark Sim, 41, from Caldicot, and Peter O’Brien, 51, from Llanishen in Cardiff.

Emergency services began a recovery operation at the site on Wednesday and this finished today.

The men’s families have been informed and formal identification procedures are now underway. Both families continue to be supported by family liaison officers. 

Five other men were also injured in the explosion. Of these, one was treated and discharged at scene and four were taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. 

The casualties who were in hospital have now been discharged, police have confirmed.

South Wales Police worked with the Health and Safety Executive, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Natural Resources Wales to make the scene safe.

South Wales Police superintendent Stephen Jones said: “Our thoughts remain with the families of Peter O’Brien and Mark Sim at what is a very difficult time for them.

“Emergency services personnel have worked in extremely challenging conditions both during the initial rescue operation and the recovery phase which followed.”

Detective superintendent Paul Hurley of the specialist crime investigations team said: “We are investigating an explosion at the Celsa steelworks, the cause of which is currently unknown.

“We are working alongside the Health and Safety Executive to establish the facts with the support of experts and engineers to determine the cause of this tragic incident.”

Hundreds of Welsh steelworkers attended a minute’s silence for Mr Sim and Mr O'Brien at a Save Our Steel rally at Sheffield City Hall yesterday.

The event had been organised to highlight the plight of the industry but bagpipes brought the rally to a standstill at around 2pm.