Race to find survivors after ‘nightmare’ Texas blast
US: Rescuers in Texas were set to return to the rubble Friday in the
search for survivors after a massive blast at a fertilizer factory
killed as many as 15 people and destroyed dozens of homes.
With the country already on edge after the deadly Boston Marathon
attacks, the factory exploded Wednesday with the force of a
2.1-magnitude earthquake, devastating much of the small town of West and
sending up a toxic cloud.
The town was in mourning, gathering with friends and neighbours at
vigils Thursday night, even as officials refused to release a death toll
and rumours flew about who was missing and which bodies have been found.
“It's very hard not knowing who's alive and who isn't,” said Julie
Veselka, 34, hugging her infant daughter while tears streamed down her
face, after a packed service at St. Mary's church concluded. Authorities
said they feared they could find more bodies in the rubble of homes and
businesses leveled by the explosion, which may have been sparked by a
fire that broke out at the West Fertilizer plant in the southwest US
state.
Much of West was evacuated overnight as an acrid cloud hung over the
area, and Texas Governor Rick Perry said local schools would remain
closed for the remainder of the week.
“Last night was truly a nightmare scenario for that community,” Perry
told a news conference in the state capital Austin, announcing that he
was seeking a federal disaster declaration that would make additional
funds available.
“This tragedy has most likely hit every family, it has touched
practically everyone in that town,” Perry said.
Police Sergeant W. Patrick Swanton of nearby Waco said the tragedy
killed “anywhere from five to 15” people, but said he expected that toll
to rise. Hospitals have treated more than 160 casualties with varying
injuries, he said.
McLennan County Deputy Sheriff Matt Cawthon told reporters the
devastated area had been “highly populated” and was “still a very
volatile situation” because of the presence of ammonium nitrate, a
common but potentially explosive fertilizer ingredient.
A US National Guard contingent of 20 troops trained to aid in
emergencies and incidents involving weapons of mass destruction was
dispatched to the scene to monitor for hazardous emissions.
Officials said they do not yet know what caused the explosion, but
are treating the factory site as a crime scene until they rule out foul
play.
The West Fertilizer Company paid more than $5,000 in fines in 2012
after being cited for mislabeled cargo tanks and inadequate transport
practices, and had been cited by state authorities for a lack of permit
in 2006. The factory reportedly held large quantities of anhydrous
ammonia, a pungent, colourless gas stored in pressurized tanks than can
ignite in dense concentrations and under high heat.
The blast was felt up to 50 miles (80 kilometres) away, and an expert
at the US Geological Survey told AFP the force of the explosion had
registered as a 2.1-magnitude seismic event.
Some 60-75 people have been left homeless by the disaster, according
to Mark Felton, director of the local Red Cross chapter.
Pete Arias, 45, was grateful to still be alive after the explosion
blew out the windows of his modest one-story house. Somehow, he and his
eight-year-old son escaped injury from what they initially thought was
an earthquake.
“The force that came in stripped the paint off the ceiling,” he told
AFP.
AFP
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