An explosion at a fertiliser plant rocked the town of West, Texas, earlier this morning, injuring a reported 160 who were sent to hospital and causing widespread devastation for blocks.

In the aftermath of the explosion, which has been likened to that of a nuclear blast by some witnesses, looters have been reported capitalising on the chaos that has gripped the town.

The emergency services are still going door to door and checking through the rubble and remains from the destroyed buildings, with the town’s small population of 2800 warned to expect the death toll to rise.

This tragedy is understood to be an industrial accident. It comes just days after the north eastern city of Boston was rocked by two bomb attacks on its city marathon.

Photo: Getty