At least five are dead after an explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania. (Photo: Facebook/ George Robert Vitkos)
Five people are dead and six are still missing after a explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania, America. According to local media reports, eight more people were rushed to the hospital after the explosion at the RM Palmer company’s plant in this American state.
The explosion happened at 17:00 local time.
“The factory was almost completely leveled with the ground. There is very little that could save them from the rubble,” Samantha Kaag, mayor of West Reading, said during a television interview with WFMZ. She described the scene as “scary”.
She says the explosion was so big, it moved the building forward more than a meter. Nearby buildings also shook due to the force of the blast.
Wayne Holbenpolice spokesman for West Reading, said during a news conference that the cause of the explosion is not yet known, but one building was completely destroyed and another building was damaged.
According to Jessica Bezler, spokeswoman for Reading Hospital, at least eight patients were admitted to this hospital after the explosion. One has since been transferred to another hospital and quite a few patients will soon be discharged.
According to RM Palmers se website 850 people were employed by the company. The company was founded in 1948 and is best known for producing seasonal chocolates, such as chocolate Easter bunnies.
Bronne: The New York Times, CBS News
Watch a video of the explosion here:
On Friday, March 24, in West Reading, Pennsylvania, USA, a powerful explosion occurred at the RM Palmer Company chocolate factory. https://t.co/vQiDGkZEHT https://t.co/mE9BxIDM8j pic.twitter.com/jqe0xuLURk
— Nikolay Sverdlov (@NikolaySverdlov) March 25, 2023
