Worker unaccounted for after 'violent explosion' at chemical plant in Massachusetts, officials say

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY
·1 min read
A vat that was once inside a Newburyport, Mass. pharmaceutical plant was hurled into the parking lot by an explosion on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
A vat that was once inside a Newburyport, Mass. pharmaceutical plant was hurled into the parking lot by an explosion on Thursday, May 4, 2023.

At least one person was missing early Thursday after a chemical explosion at a chemical plant in Massachusetts.

According to Newburyport Fire Department officials, the incident took place about 12:45 a.m. at a Newburyport industrial park home to Seqens, pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.

Fire officials said they received a report of a "violent explosion" and, upon arrival, crews saw an industrial-sized vat from inside the building had moved about 30 feet into an adjacent parking lot because of the blast.

Five workers were in the building at the time of the explosion, according to the release. Four were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released.

As of Thursday morning, the fifth worker remained unaccounted for, fire officials said.

A vat that was once inside a Newburyport, Mass. pharmaceutical plant was hurled into the parking lot by an explosion, Thursday, May 4, 2023.
A vat that was once inside a Newburyport, Mass. pharmaceutical plant was hurled into the parking lot by an explosion, Thursday, May 4, 2023.

Newburyport Fire Chief Steve Bradbury described the incident as a "violent explosion," per local outlet Boston 25.

"There is major structural damage to the building, preventing firefighters and technical rescue crews from entering the building to begin a search," the release reads. "There is no danger to area residents, but the Newburyport Police Department asks workers in the industrial park to avoid Opportunity Way while operations continue."

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A history of explosions

Local news station Boston 25 reported a series of explosions happened at the same building in February 2020.

No injuries were reported in the 2020 incident.

“We’ve been here before and I’ll just let you know it’s in the same area, but It’s all under investigation with the State Fire Marshal’s Office,” Newburyport Fire Chief Steve Bradbury told the outlet.

Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Newburyport, Massachusetts chemical plant Seqens explodes: Officials