Updated April 18, 2013, 1:27 AM ET
WEST, TEXAS – A massive explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco on Wednesday injured dozens of people and killed an unknown number of others, leaving the factory a smoldering ruin and leveling buildings for blocks in every direction.
The explosion at West Fertilizer in West, a community about 20 miles north of Waco, happened shortly before 8 p.m. and could be heard as far away as Waxahachie, 45 miles to the north.
A person looks on as emergency workers fight a house fire after a near by fertilizer plant exploded Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in West, Texas.
/ AP PHOTO/ WACO TRIBUNE HERALD, ROD AYDELOTTE
Although authorities said it will be some time before they know the full extent of the loss of life, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman D.L. Wilson said just after midnight that an unknown number of people had died and more than 100 were injured.
West Mayor Tommy Muska told reporters that his city of about 2,800 residents needs “your prayers.”
Related articles
- Photos: Explosion rocks Texas fertilizer plant (photos.denverpost.com)
- EMS: 60 Dead, Over 100 Injured In Texas Fertilizer Plant Blast (cbsnews.com)
- Official: Several injured in Texas plant explosion (rep-am.com)
- Unknown number killed in Texas plant explosion (cbsnews.com)
- 60-70 dead in Texas plant explosion – media (newsinfo.inquirer.net)
- Massive explosion at Texas fertilizer plant (news.blogs.cnn.com)
- Fertilizer Plant Explosion In Texas Injures Dozens (huffingtonpost.com)
