A tragic incident occurred at a Tyson Foods plant in southwest Georgia, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to two others. The woman, identified as Bajarma Batozhapov, 61, was killed when a wall collapsed onto the cab of an 18-wheel truck where she was asleep. Her husband, who was the truck driver, was not in the truck at the time and was unharmed. The cause of the accident was reported to be a boiler explosion by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which represents workers at the plant. The company stated that they were working with local authorities to investigate the cause of the fire.
Authorities reported that a fire burned for approximately three hours at the plant and heavy equipment was required to remove debris from the truck in order to recover the woman’s body, which was not retrieved until 2 p.m. the following day. The exact cause of death was not disclosed by the coroner, but an autopsy was scheduled to be performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Tyson expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the victims and emphasized that ensuring the safety of their team members was their top priority. A full investigation into the cause of the fire was underway, according to the company.
The Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the death and injuries but did not provide further details as the investigation was ongoing. The plant in Camilla, Georgia, which is the largest employer in Mitchell County and was acquired by Tyson in 2018 as part of the company’s acquisition of Keystone Foods, primarily produces chicken products for restaurants. The union representing workers at the plant stated that the tragic incident was a devastating blow to the community, as Tyson plays a significant role in the local economy. Camilla Mayor Kelvin Owens expressed the city’s support for Tyson, recognizing the company as not just an employer, but also a part of their community.
With agriculture being a vital part of the local economy, Tyson’s plant in Camilla holds significant importance. The mayor emphasized the close relationship between the company and the community, referring to Tyson as family. The city is committed to providing support to the company during this difficult time. As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, the community is left grieving over the loss of life and injuries that occurred as a result of the tragic incident. The focus remains on ensuring the safety of workers and uncovering the circumstances that led to the fatal accident.
