- The explosion at a Pennsylvania chocolate factory was captured on social media in a video
- Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion claimed the lives of seven individuals
- Mayor Samantha Kaag reported that all seven presumed missing victims' remains had been discovered
The number of fatalities from Friday evening's explosion at the R.M. chocolate factory in Berks County, Pennsylvania, has increased to seven as rescue teams search the site.
On Sunday, West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag issued a statement announcing the discovery of two other bodies, bringing the total number of deaths to seven. She stated that authorities are hiding their names at this time.
Cause of Pennsylvania Chocolate Factory Explosion Remains Unknown
Earlier in the day, a fifth corpse was recovered among the debris after police had announced four deaths and three missing persons. The reason for the explosion that destroyed building two and building one at R.M. Palmer on Friday remains unknown, according to Fox News.
Kaag stated that at least ten persons were harmed. The mayor also stated that three buildings surrounding the explosion site would be demolished while officials examine the explosion's cause and determine ways to prevent such incidents. The intersection of Pennsylvania and 2nd Street was described as the C&S medical supply, Palmer Building No. 1, an apartment complex, and a church.
Also, the surrounding streets remain closed at this time. The mayor also said the community would host a candlelight memorial for the victims on March 31 at 7:30 p.m. EDT. On Saturday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visited the explosion scene and declared that extra resources would be made available to first responders to assist with continuing recovery and rescue operations.
West Reading Borough Chief of Police Wayne Holben stated that the explosion occurred at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in West Reading just before 5 p.m. on Friday. Authorities are probing the cause of the explosion at the plant, which occurred around 90 kilometers northwest of Philadelphia.
Following the explosion on Friday, which damaged and destroyed nearby structures and homes, at least ten patients were transported to local hospitals. Per USA Today, Holben confirmed that one survivor had been discovered in the wreckage late Saturday morning. Initially, teams had been searching for six missing individuals.
According to the news source, Holben could not offer any other details on the survivor. Using specialist tools and methods, rescue personnel continued a comprehensive search. During the exact clearance of the rubble, dogs and imaging equipment are being employed to search for signs of life, according to officials.
Holben stated that the explosion on Friday blasted a cloud of black smoke into the air and caused the demolition of a complex structure and damage to an adjacent building.
Holben stated that the area's roadways would be closed until Monday. Images taken early Saturday morning at the area showed smoke rising from the factory as firefighters searched for survivors. The explosion site is "quite leveled," according to the city's mayor, Samantha Kaag. "The explosion was so powerful that it pushed the church and apartment building in the foreground four feet forward."
Pennsylvania Explosion Caught on Cam
People were requested to step back approximately one block in each direction from the explosion location, but no evacuations were ordered, according to Kaag. R.M. Palmer announced that it was "devastated by the horrific occurrences."
Due to the facility's electricity loss, the company's computer and phone systems have been disabled, and it may take "some time" to regain access to some portions of the structure. R.M. Palmer announced it would be giving bereavement counseling to all workers.
The Reading Hospital reported receiving ten patients and transferring two to other hospitals. Jessica Bezler, a spokesperson at Tower Health, said in an email that two patients were hospitalized in fair condition, and five were being treated and would be discharged.
One patient was transported to a different institution, but Bezler could not offer any other information. West Reading Borough manager Dean Murray said several people were moved from a damaged apartment complex. Kagg stated that borough authorities did not communicate with R.M. Palmer officials, which Murray regarded as "a cornerstone of the municipality."
According to the company's website, the plant has been producing "chocolate novelties" since 1948 and employs 850 people at its headquarters in West Reading. Flames and heavy clouds of black smoke were shown on camera consuming the structure and blowing hundreds of feet into the air. Three other structures surrounding the explosion site have been condemned for safety reasons.
Fire Chief Chad Moyer stated that the probability of finding survivors reduces as time passes as emergency officials continue to search for missing victims, CBS News reported.
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