5 Dead, 6 Missing in US Chocolate Factory Explosion

Five people were killed and six others are missing after an explosion in a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania, in the northeastern United States.

Eight people were taken to hospital after the blast, which occurred just before 5 p.m. local time on Friday night, according to ITV.

Several others were injured in the blast at the RM Palmer Co. plant, according to West Reading Police Chief Wayne Holben.

The cause of the explosion, which occurred about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia, is still under investigation.

A cloud of black smoke billowed into the air, and the blast destroyed a building and damaged a nearby apartment building.

Eyewitnesses reported that they heard an explosion in the sweets factory, and saw a fire as a result, and it is believed that the cause of the explosion was a gas leak; however, the investigation into the incident has not been completed yet.

One of the buildings can be seen partially collapsed in the footage shown by the media.

The company's website says it has been making "new chocolate products" since 1948 and now has 850 employees at its West Reading headquarters.

US media announced earlier today that two people were killed in the accident, before announcing that the death toll had risen to 5.