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CAMILLA, Ga. (BFMG) — A woman was killed and several others were injured in an explosion caused by a fire at a Tyson Foods poultry plant in Camilla, Georgia, overnight, officials confirmed.
The victim, 61-year-old Bajarma Batozhapov of Las Vegas, was sleeping in a truck at the time of the blast. She did not work at the plant, and her husband, a truck driver, was accompanying her. The blast severely damaged part of the truck she was in. Batozhapov’s husband, who was inside the plant at the time, was not injured, according to the Mitchell County Coroner’s Office.
The explosion injured several other individuals, though their conditions have not been disclosed. The incident occurred in Camilla, approximately 60 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, according to a Tyson Foods spokesperson.
“We extend our deepest condolences to their family and friends during this difficult time,” the spokesperson said. “Right now we are still gathering the facts, but ensuring the safety of our team members is our top priority, and we are conducting a full investigation into the cause.”
Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union, which represents Tyson employees, identified the explosion as a boiler blast and said several workers had sustained burns.
“We are working with the company and local emergency authorities to ensure that all the workers impacted are taken care of,” Appelbaum said in a statement.
“It is too early to tell what happened last night but there must be a thorough investigation into this incident, and workers must be able to work safely in the facility,” he added.
