US power plant blast
US: Five people were confirmed dead and at least 12 others injured in
an explosion on Sunday at a gas-fired power plant under construction at
Middletown, in the northeast US state of Connecticut.
"We know that 12 individuals have been injured. Five individuals are
known to have lost their lives," Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano
told a news conference, held at a school around 6 pm Sunday.
|
Blast |
| * Explosion
on Sunday at a gas-fired power plant
* Five dead and at least 12
others injured |
However, Giuliano said the exact number of casualties was not yet
available as it was not known how many workers were actually at the site
when the explosion occurred in the main building of the Kleen Energy
Plant at about 11: 30 a.m. local time.
The natural gas explosion was assumed to be the main cause of the
incident that blew apart the power plant, and the possibility of a
terrorist attack has been ruled out, the mayor said.
A further investigation is underway.
The power plant is not fully operational yet and the explosion
occurred during a testing procedure, according to the city official.
Nearly 95 percent of the construction has been completed, and the plant
is expected to start operation this summer, he added.
No representative of Kleen Energy showed up at the press briefing.
Middletown, Monday, Xinhua |
