Washington: Many people were feared dead and dozens of people injured in a massive explosion at a Texas fertiliser plant, an incident that triggered an earthquake measuring 2.1 on the Richter scale.
A fire burnt furiously at the plant, hours after the deafening explosion Wednesday night. Emergency services say they now have the blaze under control.
The explosion happened about 7.50 p.m. in the city of West, some 320 km north of the Texas capital of Houston, reported Xinhua.
There are no official casualty figures, but George Smith, head of the Texas Emergency Medical Services in West, said at least 60 were dead and some 170 injured, broadcaster KWTX reported.
West Mayor Tommy Muska told an earlier news conference it had been confirmed at least four or five rescuers and firefighters were missing.
Muska said a fire broke out at the fertiliser plant before the explosion, which devastated surrounding areas, destroying 10 homes and damaging 50 more. It also triggered a 2.1 magnitude earthquake.
Chrystal Anthony, a nearby resident, said she saw the flames engulf the nursing home and an apartment complex.
"It was an apartment complex that was devastated, the nursing home. The fire was close to a residential area," Anthony was quoted as saying.
"It was like a bomb went off," said Barry Murry, a resident who lives about a mile away from the plant. "There were emergency vehicles everywhere. It has been overwhelming."
Witnesses said an evacuation had already begun before the explosion due to the fire at the plant. The huge explosion sounded like a nuclear bomb and sent a mushroom cloud into the air.
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