WEST VIRGINIA — Two people died and 19 others were taken to hospitals after a chemical leak at a plant in Kanawha County, West Virginia, on Wednesday, authorities said.
The incident occurred at Catalyst Refiners, a silver recovery facility located in Institute. According to emergency officials, workers were preparing to shut down part of the plant when a chemical reaction took place involving nitric acid and another substance. The reaction produced hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas.
Kanawha County Commission officials confirmed the fatalities and said at least one of the injured remains in critical condition.
A shelter-in-place order was issued shortly before 10 a.m. for areas within about a mile of the facility, including portions of West Virginia State University and nearby communities. The order was later lifted after conditions improved.
Emergency crews conducted a large-scale decontamination operation at the scene. Individuals exposed to the chemicals were required to remove their clothing and undergo decontamination procedures.
The plant is owned by Ames Goldsmith Corp., which said in a statement it is cooperating with local, state and federal agencies as they investigate the cause of the incident.
Authorities have not released the identities of the victims. The investigation remains ongoing.
