Corus deaths: Stephen Galsworthy, Andrew Hutin, and Len Radford

Len Radford, from Maesteg, and Andrew Hutin and Stephen Galsworthy, from Port Talbot, died after the blast ripped through furnace five in 2001.

Five workers were also critically injured in the worst accident in the UK's steel industry for 26 years.

The families of two of the men killed have expressed disappointment with the inquest's accidental death verdicts.

Speaking outside Swansea's Guildhall after the inquest, Stephen Galsworthy's brother Ian, said: "We are bitterly disappointed with the verdict today, believing it should have been one of unlawful killing.

"Unlike the blast furnace, Stephen can never be replaced and whatever verdict was returned it cannot make up for our great loss."

Unlike the blast furnace, Stephen can never be replaced Ian Galsworthy

Andrew Hutin's father, Michael Hutin, added: "We believe that if we'd had what we thought was the correct verdict of unlawful killing, it would have opened up other avenues for us.

"Because that door has now been slammed in our face, I don't believe that there is anything other than to wait and see what the Health and Safety (Executive) has to say."

The verdict came just an hour after the jury had been sent out following the four-week inquest.

Coroner Dr David Osborne had ruled that possible verdicts of gross negligence and manslaughter should not be considered because they could not be justified.

Experts told the hearing that a leakage in number five blast furnace was probably the cause of the explosion which had the power of 88lbs of TNT when water came into contact with molten metal.

The blast was the worst steel accident for 26 years

Corus has admitted civil liability. A joint investigation by the police and Health and Safety Executive has yet to decide whether any criminal charges should be brought.

In his summing up the coroner said witnesses had spoken of the danger of a break out from the furnace, but nobody had expected an explosion.

Earlier, the inquest jury heard how water had leaked into the furnace, which an expert likened to throwing dynamite inside.

On the first day, the court heard that urgent repairs had begun on the furnace the day before the blast on 8 November, 2001.

After it became apparent water was getting into the furnace, a number of workers took part in a meeting to discuss what to do about the problem.

Following our detailed and thorough investigation into the incident, we have already taken numerous measures to ensure a similar incident can never happen again Corus board member Rauke Henstra

The jury was told that the explosion happened about one hour and 15 minutes after that meeting.

A board member at Corus said no-one could have foreseen the explosion which he described as a "tragic accident".

Rauke Henstra, Corus board member and division director for strip products, said: "November 8th, 2001, was a day none of us at Corus will ever forget.

"Our thoughts are with the families of Andrew Hutin, Stephen Galsworthy and Len Radford after what has clearly been a difficult four weeks for them and indeed others affected by this incident.

"Following our detailed and thorough investigation into the incident, we have already taken numerous measures to ensure a similar incident can never happen again.

"We will now digest all the information presented to the inquest to see if there are any further lessons to be learned and shared with other steel makers.

'Management culture'

"The health and safety of our employees and contractors is the number one priority for Corus."

But Community, the union which represented the steelworkers, said it was seeking urgent talks to discuss health and safety issues.