Police find six dead in 'confined space' after mysterious dairy explosion

Six people including a school pupil have died in a suspected gasexplosionin a confined space at a dairy.

The names of the victims of in the tragedy in a rural farming community in Colorado, United States, have not yet been released by authorities who believe the incident was an accident at a dairy where the people were exposed to gas.

Investigators are looking into what kind of gases may have played a role in the deaths on Wednesday at Prospect Valley Dairy in Keenesburg, about 35 miles northeast of Denver. Crews recovered the bodies in a confined space at the dairy, the Southeast Weld Fire Protection District said.

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“We are investigating these deaths as the possible consequence of gas exposure in a confined space,” said Jolene Weiner, chief deputy coroner for Weld County.

The identities of those who died, all Hispanic males, were being withheld pending notification of the families, Ms Weiner said. A local school district said a high school student was among those who died.

In a statement, the Weld RE-9 School District identified one of the victims as a student at Highland High School in Ault, and said it has made counselling and support services available to students and staff.

A spokesperson with UCHealth Greeley Hospital said the hospital cared for three additional patients, who have all been released. A man who used to work at the farm where the incident happened said he knew some of the victims.

"They started working here about six years ago," the man told Denver7. "They couldn't tell me what happened, but something happened. That's why I came, because they were my friends."

Weld County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Melissa Chesmore said her agency didn’t find anything indicating a crime took place.

“It looks like an accident,” she said, declining to elaborate or say where exactly the bodies were found, referring questions to occupational safety regulators.

Chauntra Rideaux, a US Department of Labour spokesperson, said in an email that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was investigating. The farm is a member of the Dairy Farmers of America, the group said.

“We are deeply saddened by this incident, and our thoughts and most sincere condolences go out to the friends and families of the deceased. At this early stage, we have no further details,” the farmer-owned cooperative said in a statement.

County tax records say the property is owned by Prospect Valley Dairy LLC and list a Bakersfield, California, address for the owners. Phone messages left for a number at the California address were not immediately returned.

Weld County is a major agricultural producer. Three-quarters of its land is devoted to farming and raising livestock. It’s Colorado’s leading dairy producer and the state’s biggest source of beef cattle, grain and sugar beets.