Explosion kills two at Orica Chile plant

Two workers have been killed in an explosion at an Orica manufacturing plant in Antofagasta, Chile.

"The plant was undergoing maintenance when an explosion occurred, resulting in the death of two workers," an Australian spokeswoman for Orica said.

The explosion happened about 3.30pm local time.

The cause of the explosion will be investigated.

Orica Limited is an Australian-based multinational corporation that provides commercial explosives and blasting systems to the mining and infrastructure markets.

Images posted online by locals and authorities at the site shows smoke billowing from the site.

Orica's Chile presence involve the emulsion plant, packaged explosives and blast initiating systems, as well as a major office and technical centre in the capital Santiago.

A worker was fatally injured in an accident at the same Antofagasta plant in 2012.

In July 2007, an Orica employee was killed at a mine site when a haul truck rolled backwards down a road and a load of ore crushed the utility the worker was trying to flee.