An explosion at a chocolate factory in the US state of Pennsylvania has killed two people and left nine others missing, according to local media.
The explosion at the RM Palmer Company plant in the West Reading borough of Pennsylvania occurred just before 5 p.m. local time (2100 GMT) on Friday, local TV network WFMZ reported.
In addition to the dead and missing, six people were transported to medical facilities, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency told WFMZ.
“(The factory) is pretty flat, unfortunately. There’s not much that can be saved from the building,” West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag said at a televised news conference.
“In front, with the church and the apartment, the explosion was so big that it went four feet,” he added.
TV footage showed flames burning in the debris after the explosion, with firefighters trying to put it out.
The cause of the blast is still under investigation, authorities said.
According to its website, RM Palmer has been producing seasonal chocolate novelties — like Easter bunnies and heart-shaped Valentine candies — since 1948.