Two people died and 30 others were rushed to hospitals following a dangerous chemical release at a West Virginia industrial facility, according to emergency officials.
The fatal incident took place at Catalyst Refiners, a business that specializes in silver recovery operations. Emergency management authorities report that employees were in the process of shutting down portions of the plant when the hazardous leak happened, triggering a toxic gas reaction.
Kanawha County Commission Emergency Management Director C.W. Sigman addressed the situation during a Wednesday press conference in Charleston, West Virginia, providing updates on the emergency response efforts.
The exact cause of the chemical release and the specific substances involved have not yet been disclosed by authorities as the investigation continues.
