Tragedy struck a small Pennsylvania city last week when a large candy factory exploded, killing 7 and leaving many more injured and missing.
The West Reading-based, 75-year-old R.M. Palmer company, which produces chocolate candy, produced a massive boom went it exploded that could be felt and seen for miles. A shocking video of the actual explosion surfaced recently, The Daily Wire reported.
NEW - Massive explosion reported in a factory that produces chocolate in Reading, Pennsylvania pic.twitter.com/wqyr9Kzh9r
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 24, 2023
CBS News reported Sunday that the death toll from the explosion climbed to seven. Two of the latest deaths were of those who were originally classified as "missing" as a result of the explosion.
The latest report from law enforcement officials on the ground indicated that there were no additional workers missing.
Videos of the rescue efforts, which included manpower, heavy equipment, and search and rescue dogs, surfaced on social media over the weekend.
"The search continues for two people still unaccounted for after a candy factory explosion in Berks County. Five people are confirmed dead after the blast at R.M. Palmer in West Reading," WGAL tweeted.
The search continues for two people still unaccounted for after a candy factory explosion in Berks County. Five people are confirmed dead after the blast at R.M. Palmer in West Reading. pic.twitter.com/NgAW5L9F7l
— WGAL (@WGAL) March 26, 2023
"Once the news gets out of who's missing and who's gone, unfortunately, a lot of people will come together even if they don't know the person," a local resident said. "They might know someone affected by it and they won't have them deal with it alone."
Another video from WGAL showed heavy equipment operators methodically picking through the debris.
Search for missing continues. Heavy equipment making headway removing debris from RM Palmer candy factory building in West Reading. Company says it’s devastated. @WGAL #westreadingexplosion pic.twitter.com/YVTiSwmaua
— BarbaraBarrWGAL (@BarbaraBarrWGAL) March 26, 2023
At least 10 people were hospitalized after the blast. Thankfully, as of this writing, six of them have already been released.
So far, the names of the deceased haven't been made public.
The company employed hundreds of workers, and in the small area, most people knew someone that worked at the plant, as most lived locally. The town will undoubtedly continue to receive an outpouring of prayers as it works through the healing process.