Human remains were discovered at the site of Thursday’s exposure at a tank truck builder in Ottawa, but the area is too risky to recover them, authorities said.
Thursday, an exhibition followed by a fire caused one death and five missing in the Eastway Tamk factory. According to the Ottawa police, the victim succumbed to his injuries, once admitted to a hospital center, while four men and a woman were still missing.
Ottawa Regional Office Coroner Luis McNaughton-Filion said investigators will recover the remains as soon as possible to identify the victims and determine the cause of death.
The investigation into the cause of the explosion is likely to be hampered by debris at the scene, the presence of chemicals and weather conditions, with a snowstorm expected Monday morning, according to CTV News.
“We are meticulously removing debris, roof pieces, walls and some equipment inside the building. Our efforts are hampered by the cold and the risks on site,” Ottawa Police Service Inspector Frank D’Aoust said Sunday, quoted by the CTV network.
“Often we remove debris and find other obstacles, which are dangerous for the investigators on the spot,” he added.
Families have identified Rick Bastien, Etienne Mabiala, Danny Beale and Kayla Ferguson as the victims of the explosion, as the investigation continues.