Seven people are confirmed to have been killed in a powerful explosion at a chocolate factory in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania on Friday.
The explosion happened just before 5pm at the RM Palmer Co plant in West Reading, about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
One of the factory’s buildings was destroyed, as well as a neighbouring property.
Late on Sunday evening it was confirmed a seventh body had been recovered by the emergency services.
West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag said none of the victims will be named until officials are certain that all families have been contacted.
“Please understand that this is a devastating loss, but we are truly grateful to bring closure to the families involved in the upcoming days,” Kaag said.
The cause of the explosion is being investigated.
A number were injured in the blast as well. Reading hospital said it received 10 patients and transferred two to other facilities, while two others were admitted in good and fair condition respectively and the others had been discharged.
Three buildings around the site were being condemned as a precaution, Kaag said.
“This does not mean they are slated for demolition or uninhabitable. Simply that there will still be work happening around them as we proceed and they will need to be looked at further by structural engineers.”
