A chemical leak at a factory in West Virginia killed two people and sent 19 others to the hospital, authorities said.
The leak occurred at the Catalyst Refiners plant, a silver recovery business in Institute, as workers prepared to shut down at least part of the facility, said Kanawha County Commission Emergency Management Director CW Sigmon.
A chemical gas reaction occurred at the plant involving nitric acid and other substances, said Sigmon, speaking at a press conference.
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The reaction caused “a violent chemical reaction and immediately overreacted,” Sigmon added.
Among the injured were seven ambulance workers who responded to the leak, officials said.
Other people were taken to hospitals in private cars or even dump trucks, Sigmon said.
The leak required a large-scale decontamination operation in which people had to remove all their clothes and be sprayed, authorities said.
Ames Goldsmith Corp., owner of Catalyst Refiners, said it was saddened by the deaths and sympathized with those affected and their families.
“This is a very difficult time,” said a company statement released at a press conference. “Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and their families.”
Ames Goldsmith vowed to work with local, state and federal officials to investigate what happened.
The plant is located near Institute, a community about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Charleston, the state capital.
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