BP has been fined a record $87m (£53m) for failing to correct safety hazards at its Texas City refinery in the US.

An explosion in 2005 at the Texas plant killed 15 people and injured 180 more. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited 270 violations at the oil refinery, a US Labor Department official said.

The latest fine follows a six-month inspection into whether BP had complied with that agreement. (The $87m fine is the largest in OSHA's history). OSHA said the company had committed hundreds of new violations, which "could lead to another catastrophe", US Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said.

BP said in a statement: "While we strongly disagree with [OSHA's] conclusions, we will continue to work with the agency to resolve our differences."

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