Authorities reported that two more bodies were discovered on Sunday, March 26, bringing the total number of fatalities from the Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion on Friday, March 24, to seven.
According to West Reading Police Chief Wayne Holben, the two additional deceased individuals were among those reported missing following the Friday blast.
As no other people were reported missing at the factory after the blast, the discovery on Sunday ended the search operations at the RM Palmer Co. chocolate factory.
Chief Holben assured everyone at a news conference on Sunday morning that the search would end once every person who was missing had been located.
As the rescue team members combed through the building’s debris over the weekend, the death toll gradually increased.
The two missing individuals had finally been found, according to West Reading Borough Mayor Samantha Kaag, who made the announcement during a press conference on Sunday night.
According to Mayor Kaag, the explosion on Friday around 5 o’clock completely destroyed the factory.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency said in a statement that ten more people were injured and were taken to various hospitals. Authorities announced that they would look into the incident and speculated that the explosion could have been brought on by a natural gas leak.
On Sunday, a West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund was established to aid organizations assisting impacted families and those forced to flee as a result of the explosion.
Richard M. Palmer, Sr established the RM Palmer Company in 1948. He only sold a small number of chocolates at the time. The company now employs over 800 people.