Around 1,500 construction staff working on the redevelopment of the Maracana stadium in Brazil have gone on strike following an on site explosion.

The blast, which left one person seriously injured, has resulted in industrial action and demands of improved safety and higher pay.

The worker, named locally as Carlos Felipe da Silva, was taken to Souza Aguiar Hospital in the city center, after suffering deep cuts and burns.

Nilson Duarte, president of the worker's union Trabalhadores da Indústria da Construção Pesada, said: "workers will vote on an indefinite strike on Thursday morning."

In June, workers renovating the Mineirao stadium that will host World Cup matches in Belo Horizonte, capital of the southern central state of Minas Gerais, went on strike for four days demanding better pay and conditions.