Two people were still missing on Sunday, while a fifth body was found at a big explosion scene at a chocolate factory in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania.
The fifth victim was discovered by first responders early on Sunday morning, according to West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag, and was pronounced dead by the Berks County Coroner’s Office.
According to Kaag, the coroner was unable to confirm that people identify.
Head of Police for West Reading Borough Wayne Holben announced the discovery of a fourth victim’s body at the R.M. early Sunday. Palmer Co. facility in the West Reading borough, some 96 kilometers (60 miles) northwest of Philadelphia.
As the community continued to pray for those injured by the incident just before 5 p.m., Holben promised that rescuers and authorities “would not rest until every single individual affected by this catastrophe has been accounted for.” Friday.
Following the explosion, which destroyed one building and injured a nearby building, rescue workers have been utilizing heat imaging technology and dogs to look for potential survivors.
According to Holben, workers were now removing debris from the scene systematically and safely using heavy equipment.
Borough Fire Chief Chad Moyer stated on Saturday night that given the magnitude of the explosion and the time that had gone, the likelihood of discovering survivors was “decreasing rapidly.
With as much optimism as we can muster, Kaag added, “we’re simply trying to hold out hope that we’ll get the proper answers, to get quality answers, to get information to those affected, and then let it go over to the inquiry.”
According to officials, the health of the woman who was rescued from the rubble early on Saturday was unknown.
According to Kaag, she had been on the second story and was discovered in a “hopeful circumstance,” reaching out for help despite her injuries.
According to officials, the conditions of individuals who were taken to hospitals were also not updated.
According to Reading Hospital, two of the ten admitted patients were sent to other hospitals, and the remaining two were admitted in good and fair condition, respectively.
In a statement released Saturday afternoon, R.M. Palmer claimed that everyone at the company was “devastated” and that due to communication systems being down, it was reaching out to staff members and their families through first responders and disaster recovery agencies.
Since the search crews had been working 12- to 16-hour shifts, according to Kaag, a volunteer fireman, “you have to draw them away at this point” to switch out and get some rest.
On a Saturday visit to the location, Governor Josh Shapiro pledged governmental support.
According to Kaag, several locals have reported blast-related damage to windows. She urged people to “take a tour around your house” and report any damage they see.
Fire inspectors from the state and the locality are still examining the scene to identify what caused the explosion.
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