5 feared dead after Slovenia explosion

An explosion and fire at a chemical plant in southeast Slovenia has left five people missing and feared dead, officials said Thursday.

Emergency officials said an additional two people were hospitalized in critical condition with severe burns after the blast, which was reported around 8.30 a.m. in the town of Kocevje.

The Melamin factory has about 200 employees. Company head Srecko Stefanic said the five missing people are likely buried under the rubble.

Stefanic said any bodies will be pulled out once the site cools down, possibly today. The missing people “probably perished because the explosion was so strong there was no chance they survived,” said Stefanic.