Police and health and safety experts are investigating after a worker died in an incident involving machinery at the Tata steelworks in Port Talbot.

Emergency services including a hazardous area response team were called to the site in south Wales shortly before 2pm on Wednesday.

Police initially described it as an “isolated incident” with no threat to the public. Officers later confirmed the man had been fatally injured.

“We can confirm that one person has died and his next of kin have been informed. We are now liaising with the Health and Safety Executive [HSE],” said a South Wales police spokeswoman.

Stephen Kinnock, the MP for Aberavon, the constituency in which the steelworks is located, said: “Terrible, tragic news coming out of Port Talbot steelworks today. My heart and thoughts go out to the family and friends of the young man who has had his life so tragically cut short. I have just spoken with Tata, who will of course be launching an investigation.”

David Rees, the Welsh assembly member for Aberavon, said: “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and colleagues at this sad time. We must now await police & HSE investigation on this incident.”

Am now aware that a contractor has died in the incident. My thoughts & prayers are with his family and colleagues at this sad time. We must now await Police & HSE investigation on this incident. https://t.co/L8MAJueV6m — David Rees (@DavidReesAM) September 25, 2019

A spokesperson for the Welsh ambulance service said: “We were called at approximately 1.58pm to reports of a person needing urgent medical attention after an accident with a machine at Tata steelworks, Port Talbot.

“We responded with two ambulance officers, one emergency ambulance, two vehicles of our hazardous area response team and our crews were supported by the Wales air ambulance.”

Tata Steel confirmed the incident in a tweet and said a full investigation had been launched.

We have to report the sad news that a contractor colleague working at our Port Talbot site has died following an incident on the site today. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. A full investigation has been launched. — Tata Steel in Europe (@TataSteelEurope) September 25, 2019

In April, two workers were injured at the plant after several fires broke out when molten metal came into contact with cold water on a railway track.

The explosion and fire at the Tata Steel site lit up Port Talbot and could be heard up to 15 miles (24km) away.

In 2001, three men were killed and 12 injured in a blast at the plant, then owned by Corus.

The steelworkers’ union Community described the death as “absolutely tragic news” and said its thoughts were with the family of the worker.

“We will be pressing Tata Steel to carry out a full investigation and ensuring that all lessons are learnt, and procedures and processes are reviewed, and necessary changes are implemented to ensure all workers at the Port Talbot plant are safe at work,” said the union’s general secretary, Roy Rickhuss.