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Police: Unclear how many trapped after Texas blast

Posted at 9:25 AM, Apr 18, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-18 10:27:48-04

By JOHN L. MONE and MICHAEL BRICK
Associated Press

WEST, Texas (AP) - Police in Texas say it's not clear how many people remain trapped in the rubble after a fertilizer plant explosion that killed as many as 15 people and injured more than 160 others.

Waco Police Sgt. William Patrick Swanton says early Thursday he doesn't know how many people have been rescued since the Wednesday night explosion in downtown West.

But he says officials on the ground remain in "search and rescue mode," going building to building in the largely decimated neighborhood surrounding the plant.

He says he knows some firefighters still are missing.

Swanton says a thunderstorm that rolled through the area early Thursday has helped in some ways, including tamping down chemicals released from the plant.

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