Two Workers Hurt in Reported Explosion at Nebraska Plant

An explosion at a plant northwest of Beatrice, Nebraska has sent two men to hospitals.

Rescue crews were called to Koch Nitrogen Plant about 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Workers were evacuated from the southwest portion of the plant.

One worker was flown to a Lincoln hospital with burns, and another was taken to a Beatrice hospital. Their names and conditions have not been released. Plant spokesman Pascal Vontefla (von-TAY-fla) says their injuries don’t appear to be life threatening.

Beatrice fire captain Jake Carrel says the men were working on a tank 35 feet off the ground when it exploded. He says the men were blown off the tank, but their harnesses kept them from falling to the ground.

Vontefla says the plant has been closed for cleaning and maintenance.