Massive blast in Texas fertiliser plant: 15 dead

| Updated: Thursday, April 18, 2013, 16:07 [IST]

Washington, April 18: Fifteen people were killed while 160 were injured while the nearby buildings were damaged after a huge explosion rocked a fertiliser plant near Waco, Texas, on Wednesday night. The death toll could increase further, feared officials. The explosion had sent flames shooting high into the night sky, leaving the factory in a shambles. A local nursing home was also badly damaged.

The exact cause behind the blast was yet not known.

The blast occurred at the plant in West, a 2,600-strong community north of Waco, round 8.30 pm local time and could be heard as far as 70 kilometres away, at Waxahachie.

Fires continued to rage in West two hours after the blast . Dozens of emergency vehicles were rushed to the spot and the approach roads were completely jammed by the vehicles. The authorities set up a temporary stage on the playing ground of a nearby school, which was lit up with floodlights.

Dozens of injured people were seen being taken away in stretchers or wheelchairs or wheelchairs and treated. Public safety department officials transported the injured from the blast site in their squad cars. Six helicopters were also pressed into the service of the victims.

The power service in the vicinity was knocked out by the impact of explosion. A person located 20 kilometres from West said she had heard multiple blasts and thought three bombs went off in succession.

All schools will be closed for the rest of the week in the district, it was learnt. Authorities also reportedly asked residents to evacuate the town immediately.

Governor Rick Perry said in a statement that they were closely monitoring the developments and gathering information on the details as they come out. He expressed solidarity for the people of West and thanked all those who promptly responded to the blast.

An official hotline was also created for the victims and their kin.

Boston blasts related to Waco Massacre of April 1993?

According to some, the Boston blasts of April 16 that killed three people and injured over 170 people could be linked to the Waco Massacre of April 19, 1993.

OneIndia News