The victim, identified by Mitchell County Deputy Coroner Robby Willis, was a Las Vegas resident who was accompanying her husband, a truck driver, at the plant.
She had been sleeping in the sleeper cabin of their tractor-trailer when the explosion caused a concrete wall to collapse onto the vehicle, trapping her beneath the debris. Her body was recovered later Friday afternoon. The victim’s husband, who was inside the facility at the time of the blast, was not injured.
Tyson Foods confirmed the fatality and extended condolences to the victim’s family. “We are working closely with local authorities to determine the cause of the late-night fire,” a company spokesperson said. “We extend our deepest condolences to their family and friends during this difficult time.”
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which represents over 1,600 workers at the Camilla plant, expressed concern over the tragedy.
Union representatives Stuart Appelbaum and Edgar Fields issued a joint statement emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the incident. They called for stronger safety measures to ensure workers’ safety, adding, “No worker should ever have to worry that when they go to work, they may not be able to return home safe and sound.”
Union representatives are currently on-site providing support to those injured in the explosion. The Camilla Fire Department and Police Department have yet to release additional details.
The plant is a critical part of the local economy, and the incident raises questions about the safety protocols in place to protect workers and surrounding community members. Tyson Foods and local authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations progress.
