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Chemical leak at U.S. plant kills two, sends 19 more to hospital: Officials
Two people were killed and 19 others hospitalized after a chemical leak at the Catalyst Refiners plant in Institute, West Virginia. One patient was in critical condition, and officials said the incident occurred as workers were preparing to shut down at least part of the facility.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights safety and emergency response considerations at chemical facilities and may lead to investigations of shutdown procedures at similar operations.
Timeline
1 Event
Chemical leak at Catalyst Refiners plant in Institute, West Virginia
April 22, 2026
A chemical leak at the Catalyst Refiners plant in Institute, West Virginia—a silver recovery business—killed two people and sent 19 others to the hospital, including one in critical condition, authorities said. The leak occurred as workers were preparing to shut down at least part of the facility, Kanawha County Commission Emergency Management Director C.W. Sigman said.