Technology Slice

Connecticut Power Plant Explosion

There were fears up to 250 may have been injured in the blast at a gas-fired power plant in Connecticut.

Two people were confirmed dead last night but rescuers were continuing to comb the wreckage of the plant, which is owned by Kleen Energy Systems. At least four of the injured were in a critical condition.

“The reports vary from a few, several to possibly as many as 50 dead,” a Middlesex hospital spokesman, Brian Albert said. “They are in the process of search and rescue.”

The explosion at the plant on the Connecticut River in Middletown was felt 30 miles away and many people thought it was an earthquake. A huge grey plume of smoke rose into the sky overhead.

One witness said there were “bodies everywhere” and others said more victims could be buried in rubble.

More than 20 ambulances were scrambled to the scene and helicopters airlifted victims to hospitals.

The explosion was believed to have happened during a test of the 620 megawatt gas-fired power station’s generating systems. It was due to come online on June 1.

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