One Dead, Four Injured After Massive Blast Rips Through Brisbane Factory, Investigation Launched

Brisbane, Australia— A morning shift ended in death when an industrial factory exploded in the city's south-west industrial precinct, killing one worker and sending four others to hospital with burns and blast injuries.

The explosion hit at about 8:45 a.m. in a factory unit that handles chemical solvents and packaging. Witnesses in neighboring units reported a deep thump, then smoke. Windows shook in buildings two streets away. The roof of the unit partially collapsed.

Queensland Police confirmed one man in his 40s died at the scene. Four other workers were taken to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Two are in critical condition with burns to more than 30 percent of their bodies. Two are stable. All were inside or just outside the building when it blew.

Fire crews arrived to find small fires burning and chemical drums leaking. Hazmat teams isolated the area. It took almost an hour to make the site safe enough for paramedics to retrieve the deceased. A 200-meter exclusion zone was set up.

"We have a significant workplace incident with a fatality," a police inspector said on site. "The scene is complex. There are chemicals, structural damage, and a lot of questions about what was happening at that time."

The factory owner said the crew was running a mixing process that had been used for months. Workers outside said they heard an alarm seconds before the blast. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland sent investigators. They seized machinery and production logs.

Union representatives arrived by midday. One organizer said workers had raised concerns about ventilation in the mixing room last month. Those claims have not been verified. The company said it had passed its last safety audit in August.

Nearby businesses were evacuated as a precaution. One operator said his staff felt the pressure wave and smelled strong fumes. Roads around the estate were closed until early afternoon. Power to the block was cut.

Investigators will stay on site through the weekend. A report is expected for the coroner. The factory will remain closed until cleared.