Video capturing the moment the Texas fertiliser plant went boom yesterday reportedly killing at least 70 and, if the video is anything to go by, probably many more.

From CNN :

On Wednesday evening, a fire at the plant suddenly exploded with a huge, deafening bang, throwing people to the ground blocks away. It measured as a 2.1-magnitude seismic event, according to the United States Geological Survey. Even 50 miles away, homes shook.

The blast came minutes after the fire began, so firefighters were already on the scene. Some may be among the dead, but the casualty count is unclear, Waco Police Sgt. William Patrick Swanton said, estimating that overall, five to 15 people may have lost their lives. Smith said the death toll could spike to 60 or 70. More than 160 people were injured.

“We have two EMS personnel that are dead for sure, and there may be three firefighters that are dead,” Smith said.

About half the town was evacuated, including a nursing home with 133 residents. A middle school is also near the plant.

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I wonder when they will learn that fertiliser plants go boom in a very big way and, as such, it isn’t a great idea to build them near towns.