Six people were killed, while 11 others were sent to a hospital on Thursday after a liquid nitrogen leak at a northeast Georgia poultry plant.

Authorities said at least three of those hospitalized were in critical condition. According to Zachary Brackett of Hall County Fire Services, firefighters responded to a report of burns at the Foundation Food Group plant, formerly Prime Pak Foods, in Gainesville at around 10:12 a.m.

Brackett noted that within 10 minutes, they had updated it to a hazardous materials response, NBC News reported. 

"Once the units arrived, they found a large contingent of employees that had evacuated, along with multiple victims that were in that crowd that were also experiencing medical emergencies around the facility," Brackett said in a CNBC report.

Authorities did not immediately disclose the names and ages of the victims. The cause of the leak and the deaths are now being investigated by the state fire marshal, sheriff's deputies, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

"It will be a lengthy process... It's not something that's quick," said Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch in an Associated Press report. Poultry plants depend on refrigeration systems that can include liquid nitrogen.

Nicholas Ancrum, the Foundation Food Group Vice President for Human Resources, described the leak as a tragic accident. He noted that early indications include a nitrogen line ruptured in the facility.

He said those who died include maintenance, supervisory, and management team members. Ancrum added that their hearts go to the families and communities who have suffered such loss.

Beth Downs, a spokesperson for Northeast Georgia Health System, said five people died at the Gainesville plant before they were taken to the hospital and one died in the emergency room.

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Victims of Liquid Nitrogen Leak in Georgia Poultry Plant

Brackett also reported that at least four firefighters were brought to a hospital due to what he described as respiratory complaints.

One firefighter remained hospitalized until late Thursday. But Brackett said he is doing well and ready to go home tomorrow.

Hall County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Derreck Booth said officials were trying to notify the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, Mexico's Foreign Relations Department said that two of the people who died at the incident were Mexican citizens. 

Company's History of Violations

Prime Pak Foods has merged into Foundation Food Group early this month. The latter is a company that takes raw chicken and processes it into products such as chicken fingers and individual chicken cuts for restaurants and foodservice operations.

According to an Aljazeera report, the CEO of the said company did not respond to comment on the issue. Records available online showed that the plant had been cited by OSHA for violations four times in the past 10 years.

One of its most serious violations was in September 2015, when 28 violations were recorded, including failing to ensure that machines were properly safeguarded during maintenance to prevent injuries. Another one was in 2017 when it involved employees who had fingers amputated by machinery. 

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