Two dead and one missing after steam explosion at veterans’ hospital
The explosion occurred at a maintenance facility a short distance from the hospital
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two people were killed and one person is missing after an apparent steam plant explosion at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Connecticut, according to multiple reports
Officials said the explosion at the West Haven campus of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System was in a non-patient care area of the building.
“Neither of the victims were VA patients and patient care was not affected. Emergency personnel are on the scene,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said in a statement.
“Our prayers are with the families of the victims of this explosion.”
Max Reiss, a spokesman for Governor Ned Lamont, said a third person was missing, according to the Star Tribune.
Quoting law enforcement officials speaking on condition of anonymity, The Associated Press reported that the explosion occurred in a maintenance area of the hospital campus on Friday morning.
A Veterans Affairs spokesman told local WTNH news that the two victims were fixing a leak in the campus' steam plant when the explosion occurred. They reported that one of the victims was a hospital employee while the other was an outside contractor.
While it was unclear what caused the explosion, smoke could be seen rising from the building.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations was called to the scene to join state and local investigators, along with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments