Death toll rises in Connecticut plant blast
Death toll rises in Connecticut plant blast
Also In The News
|
A huge blizzard has hit the eastern mid-Atlantic states of the US, with forecasters urging people not to leave their homes due to the "extremely hazardous" conditions. |  |
Monday, 08, Feb 2010 10:04
By Sarah Garrod.
A large explosion at a power plant in the US state of Connecticut caused mass casualties and at least five deaths during the weekend, local reports have claimed.
The explosion at the Kleen Energy plant in Middletown on Sunday reportedly occurred as gas tests were being undertaken.
Local residents said the blast was felt as much as 30 miles away, with flames and black smoke witnessed coming from the plant. Middletown's mayor confirmed to reporters that there had been five deaths caused by the blast, and at least another 12 workers had been injured.
The Middletown Press newspaper said the gas pipeline exploded at around 11:30am local time (16:30 GMT).
A rescue operation is currently underway to find survivors, and the names of the victims are yet to be released until their families are informed. Officials have told residents there is no further danger to them from the blast.
Local people used Twitter to report their experiences of the explosion, saying they thought there had been an earthquake. JohnHardy303 wrote: "The report is still saying 5 dead at the Kleen Energy explosion in Middletown. Rattled my windows for sure, good union men dead."
The 620-megawatt gas-fired power plant was near to completion and was due to open this summer.