On Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, an explosion occurred at a Tyson Foods factory in Camilla, Georgia, claiming one life and injuring several others.
According to the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, a boiler inside the facility exploded, triggering a fire that burned for three hours.
The victim has been identified as 61-year-old Bajarm Batozhatov of Las Vegas. Reports indicate that she was accompanying her husband, Tcyden Batozhatov, who was inside the plant at the time. Tragically, she died in her husband’s truck after a concrete wall collapsed onto it.
Camilla Fire Chief Jamie Sullivan confirmed that heavy machinery was required to retrieve her body hours after the incident.
Two other individuals sustained injuries and were hospitalized, according to reports. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
Stuart Appelbaum and Edgar Fields of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union issued a joint statement expressing their commitment to supporting the affected workers and calling for a thorough investigation to ensure worker safety. “No worker should ever have to worry that when they go to work, they may not return home safely,” the statement emphasized.
The Camilla Tyson Foods plant is a critical employer in Mitchell County, which has a population of 5,000. Tyson Foods acquired the facility in 2018 following its purchase of Keystone Foods.
In a separate statement, Tyson Foods extended condolences to the victim’s family and friends and pledged to collaborate with local authorities to uncover the fire’s cause. “Ensuring the safety of our team members is our top priority,” the statement noted, adding that a comprehensive investigation is underway.
