Two Dead, 21 Hospitalized

Two people died and one was in critical condition after a “chemical release” at a West Virginia plant slated for closure, officials said. The incident occurred at Catalyst Refiners, Inc. Institute in Kanawha County. More than 30 people sought medical treatment after the incident at the plant, which manufactures silver catalyst, including seven EMS workers and some from the surrounding area. Kanawha County Commission President Ben Salango said a chemical reaction occurred during a cleaning and decontamination process at the plant. Two chemicals, M2000A and nitric acid, were mixed in a pump area while workers were decommissioning a tank, causing an explosion.