Graphic content: A helicopter extinguishes a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, on August 4, 2020 (photo by STR/AFP).
The death toll from an explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania rose to three on Saturday, with four people still missing, local officials said. Rescuers continued to race against the clock to find survivors as crews removed debris and rubble following the Friday‑afternoon blast at the RM Palmer Company plant in the West Reading borough.
West Reading Fire Chief Chad Mayor told a press conference on Saturday that “due to the violence of the explosion and the amount of time that has passed, the chance of finding survivors is decreasing rapidly.” TV footage showed a fire blazing amid the debris, with firefighters attempting to extinguish it. “The factory is pretty levelled, unfortunately. There’s not much they can salvage from the building,” said West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag in a televised briefing shortly after the blast. She added that the explosion was so powerful it moved a nearby building four feet forward, affecting the church and apartments in front of the plant.
West Reading Chief of Police Wayne Holben reported that a third body had been located at the RM Palmer site and confirmed deceased. “Crews are continuing their diligent efforts in sifting through the debris in order to locate any additional individuals,” Holben said. Fire Chief Mayor noted that “currently we have four individuals that are unaccounted for.” The cause of the blast remains under investigation.
According to its website, RM Palmer has been producing seasonal chocolate novelties—such as Easter bunnies and heart‑shaped Valentine’s Day sweets—since 1948.
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