GRANITEVILLE, SC — Six Avondale Mills employees were among nine people killed Jan. 6 when a train carrying chlorine gas suddenly veered off the main track and into a parked train next to the company’s facility here.
The deaths were attributable to chlorine inhalation, authorities said.
Residents near the plant were evacuated and were not allowed back to their homes even a week after the accident because gas was still leaking from the damaged tanker. More than 200 people were sickened by the gas.
The locomotive, carrying 42 cars, was operated by Norfolk Southern.
About 400 Avondale employee were working when the crash occurred about 2:40 a.m.
Employees at the complex make denim, piece-dyed and undyed fabrics.
