Five workers were injured during an explosion at a foundry in Atlantis on Tuesday evening, Netcare 911 paramedics said.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Lauren Copley said the accident happened at around 19:00 at a foundry in the industrial area.

While the exact cause of the incident is unknown and will be subject to further investigation, it appears the explosion occurred after hot metal was poured into a smelter containing some cold water residue.

Five men, believed to be night shift workers at the foundry, sustained mild to moderate burns, mostly on their torso areas.

Netcare 911 paramedics stabilised the men and also treated another one on scene for minor burns.

The five workers were then transported by ambulance to Blaauwberg Hospital.