2024 explosion in the US state of Kentucky
On November 12, 2024, at around 3 p.m., an explosion at a manufacturing facility for food coloring in Louisville, Kentucky killed two people and injured 12 workers. Injured people, two of whom were in critical condition, were transported to University of Louisville Hospital and Baptist East Hospital. As of November 13, The cause of the explosion is not known.
Background.
Givaudan Color Sense, the plant operator, is a food coloring brand associated with the international Swiss manufacturer Givaudan. The facility was previously owned and operated by D.D. Williamson &amp; Co. (DDW). 
The facility was the site of another explosion in April 2003, when, while owned by DDW, one person was killed after a process vessel became overpressurized and catastrophically failed.
In May 2023, the plant was cited by the Louisville Air Pollution Control District for failing to provide compliance reports for air quality control operations. In December of the same year, the plant was cited again for releasing excessive amounts of food coloring powder into the air, which landed on neighboring properties. For years prior to the explosion, neighbors complained of strange smells coming from the facility.
Explosion.
At around 3 p.m., on November 12, 2024, an explosion at the facility caused a partial collapse and shattered the windows of nearby buildings. Emergency services quickly responded to the explosion, which was declared a hazardous materials incident. A shelter in place was issued for a 1-mile radius from the area, and an evacuation order for the adjacent two blocks. At 4:40 p.m., the shelter-in-place was lifted.