At least two people died, six were injured and another seven are missing after a strong explosion on Friday afternoon rocked a chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania, according to local authorities.
The explosion at the RM Palmer Company factory sent a large column of smoke into the air and shook houses near the building, starting a large fire, according to NBC Philadelphia.
[Five brothers between the ages of 8 and 17 die in a traffic accident in New York]
The explosion, which occurred around 5:00 pm (local time), destroyed part of the factory, located in Berks County, about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia, Mayor Samantha Kaag said.
The explosion at the RM Palmer Company factory sent a large plume of smoke into the air.Renèe Rivera
West Reading Police Chief Wayne Holben confirmed the death toll Friday night.
The causes of the explosion are being investigated.
[USA. threatens to ban TikTok for national security but users declare “love” for the app and its Chinese CEO]
The RM Palmer Company factory, founded in 1948, has 850 employees and produces seasonal chocolates, collects The New York Times.