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More bodies were found Sunday after authorities searched the site of a massive explosion in a small town at an eastern Pennsylvania chocolate factory..
West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag confirmed Sunday night that all seven bodies of the presumptive missing victims had been recovered from the site. The announcement came after a fourth and fifth body was found by first responders earlier Sunday.
The identities of victims will not be released until authorities can confirm that family members have been notified, Kaag said in a statement Sunday night.
« Please understand that this is still a devastating loss, but we are truly grateful to bring closure to the families involved in the upcoming days, » Kaag said.
West Reading Borough Chief of Police Wayne Holben said the explosion took place just before 5 p.m. Friday at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in West Reading. Officials are investigating what caused the explosion at the plant about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
Local hospitals received at least 10 patients following the Friday blast, which damaged and destroyed nearby buildings and homes.
Initially crews had been searching for six missing people but late Saturday morning, Holden confirmed one survivor had been found in the rubble, the Reading Eagle reported.
“The discovery provides hope that others may still be found,” Holben said Saturday.
The outlet reported Hoben could not provide any further information about the survivor.
Rescue workers were continuing a thorough search using specialized equipment and techniques.
