Chemical leak at a West Virginia plant kills 2 people, sends 19 to hospital, officials say
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- A chemical leak at the Catalyst Refiners silver recovery plant in Institute, West Virginia, resulted in two deaths and hospitalized 19 people, including one in critical condition.
- The incident occurred during shutdown preparations and involved a violent chemical reaction between nitric acid and another substance.
- Seven ambulance workers were among the injured, with others transported to hospitals by private vehicles or even a garbage truck.
- A shelter-in-place order was issued and later lifted; all casualties were reported on the plant site, which required a large-scale decontamination effort.
- Ames Goldsmith Corp., owner of Catalyst Refiners, expressed condolences and pledged cooperation with authorities investigating the incident.
