Tennessee state authorities announced on Wednesday that they have launched an investigation into the company behind a plastics factory where 11 workers were tragically swept away by flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene.
Despite the Nolichucky River swelling from heavy rainfall, employees at Impact Plastics factory in Erwin, Tennessee, continued working, claiming they were not allowed to leave in time to avoid the storm’s impact. It wasn’t until the water flooded into the parking lot and the power went out that the plant finally shut down and sent workers home.
Tragically, 11 people were swept away by the raging waters, with only five being rescued. Two of them have been confirmed dead, adding to a toll of over 160 deaths across six states impacted by the hurricane remnants.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced that they are investigating allegations involving Impact Plastics, following the direction of the local prosecutor.
In the aftermath of the incident, testimonies from workers who managed to escape revealed that they were not promptly evacuated from the facility, despite warning signs. Some workers attempted to leave in their vehicles but got stranded on flooded roads, only to be rescued by brave individuals in off-road vehicles.
Survivor Jacob Ingram shared harrowing videos of himself and others awaiting rescue as vehicles floated by in the floodwaters. The rescue operations were captured in heart-wrenching footage posted on social media.
Impact Plastics released a statement claiming that they monitored the weather conditions and dismissed employees when it became unsafe. However, workers contradicted these claims, stating they were not evacuated in a timely manner.
Company founder Gerald O’Connor expressed grief over the loss of their employees and extended condolences to the affected families. The confirmed deceased workers from the factory were identified as Mexican citizens, with their families seeking support through online fundraisers for funeral expenses.
The tragic events at the plastics factory in Tennessee serve as a stark reminder of the importance of workplace safety protocols and timely evacuation procedures during natural disasters.
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