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Some Reportedly Killed, Others Hurt In Omaha Plant Explosion

The wrecked International Nutrition plant in Omaha, Neb., where a fire and explosion took place on Monday.
Nati Harnik
The wrecked International Nutrition plant in Omaha, Neb., where a fire and explosion took place on Monday.

Update at 6:02 p.m. EST Two Confirmed Dead:

The Omaha World-Herald reports that two people have been confirmed dead in the plant explosion that took place on Monday. Ten others were taken to area hospitals, four in critical condition.

The paper also reports that at a press conference this afternoon interim Omaha Fire Chief Bernie Kanger said additional workers remained trapped inside.

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Our original post continues below:

Fire officials say people have died in an explosion at an animal feed processing plant near Omaha, Neb., but won't yet say how many.

The Associated Press quotes Kanger as saying crews have stopped rescue efforts and would start a slow recovery process to retrieve victims.

Thirty-eight people were believed to be inside the International Nutrition plant when the explosion took place at about 11 a.m. ET on Monday. Ten injured were taken to area hospitals, four of them in critical condition, the AP says.

The cause of the explosion is unclear. It's also unclear how many people who were inside may have reached safety.

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The Omaha World-Herald reports that "as many as 15 people are thought to be injured or trapped" in the plant.

The AP reports:

"Sarah White said she was at home with her four children when she got a call from her husband right after the explosion.

" 'I could hear the panic in his voice,' she said. 'But he said he was OK.' She said he'd been watching trucks unload from outside the building when the blast occurred."

" 'That's where he works every day. That could have been him,' White said, referring to the injured workers."
We'll update this post as more information becomes available.

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