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U.S. building collapses, two missing
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A building collapsed on Tuesday near Raleigh, the U.S. state of North Carolina, after an explosion inside, leaving 21 employees injured and two others missing, according to local media reports.
According to the WRAL TV, the roof of a food plant that belongs to ConAgra Foods company partially collapsed in the morning following an explosion inside whose cause was not immediately known.
About 15 employees who were working in the plant suffered from exposure to toxic fumes from ammonia leaks and some others also suffered chemical burns, said Mayor Ronnie Williams.
"There was no warnings, no signs," he said. "It all happened very abruptly."
Jeffrey Hammerstein, a local emergency medical officer, said that authorities were still searching for two others at the plant.
"We don't know if they're in the building or not, but we're going to go look for them," Hammerstein said, adding five of the injured were tagged as priority patients with serious conditions.
TV footage showed several holes in the plant's roof, and chemical liquid still spilt out of the debris.
Several ambulances and fire trucks have arrived at the scene, and employees were seen gathering outside the plant.
Local authorities said that they have blocked several roads around the plant and sent hazardous materials teams to the area to contain and clean up leaking chemicals.
The food company said that it was working with authorities to ensure employees "are getting all of the support that they need."
"The employees' health is their only real concern at this time," said Stephanie Childs, the communication director of the company. |
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