(MENAFN) A large explosion at the R.M. Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania, on Friday has left multiple people dead and others injured. The exact death toll is uncertain as of Saturday morning, but West Reading police chief Wayne Holben and West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag said in a news conference that there were two people dead and five people missing. One person was found alive overnight.
The explosion, which occurred on Friday afternoon, sent flames and black smoke billowing hundreds of feet into the air, as seen in video footage from the scene. A total of 10 people were hospitalized with injuries, six of whom have been discharged as of Saturday. Reading Hospital received a total of eight patients, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is working alongside local officials to coordinate the response. The cause of the explosion is still unclear, and an investigation is underway.
The incident is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by workers in industrial settings, and it underscores the importance of workplace safety measures. As rescue efforts continue and more information becomes available, it will be important to assess the circumstances that led to the explosion and to take steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The families of the victims and those affected by the explosion will also need support and resources to cope with the aftermath of the tragedy.
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