Two employees have been found dead at a ConAgra Foods processing plant in North Carolina following an explosion at the facility on Tuesday (9 June).
The blast at the 500,000-square-foot plant in Garner at 11.30am local time, is understood to have caused parts of the roof to collapse, injuring more than 40 people.
The company said that local authorities are working to notify next of kin before releasing the names of the individuals and that the search will continue for a missing employee.
“No words can express how saddened we are by these events today,” said ConAgra CEO Gary Rodkin. “All of our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. ConAgra Foods will provide our people with all of the support they need, and we will continue to work with local authorities to identify the cause of this accident.”
The company has set up a fund for contributions from ConAgra employees and the local community, and said it will continue to provide employee assistance counsellors for its employees and their families.

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By GlobalDataAround 280 workers were at the plant, located at 4851 Jones Sausage Road. The facility produces the company’s Slim Jim products and was acquired in 1998.
ConAgra Foods said it will provide further information as it becomes available.