ATCHISON, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say three young men were killed in a thunderous explosion at a Kansas grain elevator, and recovery efforts for three other people presumed dead are being hampered by the damage.
The explosion occurred Saturday night at a Bartlett Grain Co. elevator in Atchison, about 50 miles northwest of Kansas City. The blast was so powerful that it shook the ground in neighboring Missouri.
Local authorities identified those killed late Sunday as 20-year-old Chad Roberts, 21-year-old Ryan Federinko and 24-year-old John Burke.
The company says one worker and two grain inspectors also are presumed dead. Their names haven’t been released.
Crews temporarily suspended their search for the three earlier Sunday because of safety concerns inside the heavily damaged elevator. The search is expected to resume Monday morning.
