Kill someone else’s Chocolate factory explosion In West Reading, Pennsylvania, last week raised the death toll to four as of Sunday, officials confirmed. First responders are continuing to search for three more people who are still missing in the aftermath of the accident.
West Reading Police Chief Wayne Holben said during a news conference Sunday morning that rescue crews worked through the night to inspect the rubble at the RM Palmer and discovered a fourth victim in the rubble early Sunday morning. The individual was declared dead at the scene.
“Crews are continuing their tireless efforts sifting through the rubble in order to locate any additional personnel,” the police chief said, adding that crews are “fully committed to this mission” and “will do everything in our power to ensure we bring closure to all involved.”
“I want to assure you all that we will not rest until every person affected by this tragedy is accounted for,” Holben said. He was unable to provide an update on the woman who was pulled alive from the rubble on Saturday.
Michael Rubinkam/AP
RM Palmer, a candy company, operates a large factory building in West Reading, where the explosion occurred on Friday night. Videos recorded at the site showed flames and thick clouds of black smoke engulfing the building and billowing hundreds of feet into the air. The death toll initially reported after the explosion is uncertain. Two people have been confirmed dead and five are still missing, Holben and West Riding Mayor Samantha Kaage told a news conference on Saturday.
CBS Philadelphia reported at the time that 10 people were taken to the hospital with injuries sustained in the crash, with six already discharged. A spokesperson for Reading Hospital told CBS News that eight patients have been admitted there.
As emergency personnel continue to search for missing people, Fire Chief Chad Muir said Sunday that the likelihood of finding survivors is diminishing with time. CBS Philadelphia mentioned.
“Because of the violence of the explosion and the amount of time that has passed, the chance of finding survivors is rapidly decreasing,” Moyer said.
RM Palmer acknowledged the outburst in a statement he shared website He said the company was “devastated by the tragic events that occurred on Friday night.”
“Everyone at RM Palmer is devastated by the tragic events that occurred Friday evening at one of our West Reading facilities, and we are focused on supporting our employees and their families,” the statement read. “We have lost close friends and colleagues, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all who have been affected.”
The candy company, which makes seasonal chocolates for occasions like Easter, Christmas and Halloween, employs about 850 people, according to its website. The factory in West Reading has been there since the early 1960’s.
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