The tank was carrying 50,000 gallons of asphalt when it ruptured in Texas, officials said
NEED TO KNOW
- A worker died after asphalt spilled from a ruptured tank at a facility in Texas on April 29, officials said
- The victim was believed to be buried under three feet of liquid asphalt
- The cause of the incident is unknown, and an investigation is underway
A worker in Texas died after he was buried under asphalt when a tank carrying thousands of gallons ruptured and leaked at an industrial facility, officials said.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 29, at Martin Asphalt in South Houston, CBS affiliate KHOU, NBC affiliate KPRC, ABC affiliate KTRK and the Houston Chronicle reported.
According to officials, a tank containing 50,000 gallons of asphalt failed and spilled, burying the victim under three feet of asphalt.
The Houston Fire Department added that the asphalt fell on top of the unidentified victim, resulting in their death, the Chronicle reported.
"Our fire department was able to locate the individual. Recovery is still underway," Alma Alanis, a code enforcement officer with the City of South Houston, said at a news conference Wednesday evening, according to KHOU. "We have Houston Fire Department Hazmat helping us out with the recovery. We have not been able to confirm the identity. Once we do, we will notify the next of kin."
Alanis said that the spill posed no danger to the community.
Aerial footage shared by Fox affiliate KRIV showed the massive asphalt spill at the facility.
Authorities said they were uncertain what caused the incident, which is under investigation, the outlets reported.
PEOPLE contacted Martin Asphalt on Thursday, April 30, but did not receive an immediate reply. The company shared a statement following the incident with KPRC.
“Martin Asphalt confirms with deep regret that an employee involved in a recent incident at our South Houston, Texas asphalt terminal has died,” Martin Asphalt said. “Due to conditions at the site, access to the affected area has been limited and the employee has not yet been recovered. Emergency response procedures were initiated and local emergency responders were notified and responded to the site. This is a tragic situation, and we are treating it with the utmost seriousness at every level of our company.”
“Our deepest sympathies are with the employee's family during this difficult time. We are focused on supporting those affected, including providing appropriate resources to our workforce,” the company continued.
Neighbors in the area recalled hearing and feeling an explosion inside their homes, KHOU reported.
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"You heard all the stuff start falling,” Jasmin, a witness whose car was stuck in the spilled asphalt, told the outlet. “You could start seeing the black tar come out.”
PEOPLE also reached out to city officials and the Pasadena Fire Marshal's Office, which is investigating the incident, on Thursday, but did not receive immediate responses.
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