1 Worker Dead, Others Injured In GA Tyson Foods Plant Explosion

Updated at 1:40 p.m.

CAMILLA, GA — A woman is missing and officials said she is presumed dead after an explosion at the Tyson Foods plant in Camilla, according to media reports.

The explosion happened late Thursday night at the plant, located at 7220 US 19. Mitchell County Coroner Jamey Thompson told WTXL in Tallahassee the victim's body has not yet been recovered as rescuers face debris and damage to the building.

A statement issued Friday by the leadership of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which represents about 1,600 workers at the Tyson facility in Camilla, said several union members were severely burned in a boiler explosion.

Authorities have not released the woman's name, or a possible cause of the explosion.

Thompson told WTXL several other workers were injured, and two to three people were taken by ambulance to an area hospital.

“We do have visual confirmation on her, but as far as having access to her, we don’t,” Thompson told WALB TV in Albany.

Fire crews were on the scene through the night and are working through the rubble on Friday. The explosion happened toward the back of the plant, and media reports said part of the building collapsed.

Camilla Fire Chief Jamie Sullivan said as of 2:50 a.m. the flames were out and fire crews are still on the scene to make sure it does not restart.

“I know this is a big industry for Mitchell County. It was kind of only one portion of the plant that sustained damage,” Thompson said to WALB. “I know it’s a horrible tragedy for the victims that were burned and also to the victim that did die. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.”

“We are working with the company, and local emergency authorities to ensure that all the workers impacted are taken care of," union leaders said. "The health and safety of workers must be a top priority at poultry plants, and we are working to assist anyone injured last night. RWDSU representatives are on the ground and available to assist. … No worker should ever have to worry that when they go to work, they may not be able to return home safe and sound.”