1 Dead, 34 Injured In Factory Explosion

An explosion ripped through an aerosol packaging plant Tuesday afternoon and released a toxic gas, killing one person and injuring 34.

Accra Pac officials said one person died in the blast. The cause of the explosion was not known.

Elkhart General Hospital treated 34 people and admitted five with more serious injuries, said spokeswoman Toni Ewing. Some were said to have suffered from respiratory distress caused by ethylene oxide.

The highly toxic gas is used mainly for sterilizing medical equipment. Medical texts say the chemical is an colorless gas used as a fumigant, insecticide and sterilizing agent.