Middletown, CT's Kleen Energy Plant: Photos From A Helicopter Tour Taken Before the Explosion

"Mass casualties and an unknown number of deaths" occurred earlier today at the Kleen Energy plant in Middletown, Connecticut. About 100 people were reported to have been working in the plant at 11:17 this morning. The 620-megawatt plant was not yet operational.

There are bodies everywhere," a witness told the Hartford Courant.

Medical rescue personnel told the newspaper there were at least two fatalities, and at least 100 people injured — including four in critical condition. The paper also reported that as many as 20 ambulances were on the scene.

This evening the Hartford Courant reported the latest details and published photos.

A devastating explosion that was heard and felt for miles destroyed a power plant Sunday morning as workers purged a natural gas piping system, killing at least five and injuring many more, emergency response officers said.

Homeowners miles away said the 11 a.m. explosion at the Kleen Energy Systems power plant on River Road created a shock wave so intense that some mistakenly thought the central part of the state had experienced an earthquake.

A photo of the plant taken earlier:

To give you an idea of the scale of the plant -- and the possible devastation associated with this disaster -- the following aerial views pan from west to east along the Connecticut river just east of Middletown.










Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those touched by this horrific explosion.