According to NBC News, as torpedos were barreling toward Mayfield, Kentucky, factory workers wanted to leave the building. Still, supervisors warned employees that they would be fired if they left their shifts early. Eight people are dead, and eight others are missing after a tornado tore through the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory.
“For hours, as word of the coming storm spread, as many as 15 workers beseeched managers to let them take shelter at their own homes, only to have their requests rebuffed, the workers said,” the outlet reports. Fearing for their safety, some left during their shifts regardless of the repercussions, and some remained behind.
“The facility was leveled, and all that is left is rubble,” the report continues. “Photos and videos of its widespread mangled remains have become symbols of the enormous destructive power of Friday’s tornado system.”
21-year-old McKayla Emery told NBC News from her hospital bed that workers first asked to leave shortly after tornado sirens sounded outside the factory at around 5:30 p.m.
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“People had questioned if they could leave or go home,” she said. Emery explained that she decided to stay at work and make extra money. Overtime pay was available; she said, however, it wasn’t clear whether those who remained were offered additional income.
Supervisors and team leaders warned the factory’s employees, saying that leaving would probably jeopardize their jobs, the employees said.
“If you leave, you’re more than likely to be fired,” Emery said she overheard managers telling four employees standing near her who wanted to leave. “I heard that with my own ears.”
According to the outlet, another worker, Daley Conder, 29, said that about 15 people had asked to go home during the night shift shortly after the first emergency alarm sounded outside the facility.
Initially, Gov. Andy Beshear said on Saturday that only 40 of the 110 people working in the factory at the time were rescued and that “it’ll be a miracle if anybody else is found alive in it.” However, according to WLWT, the candle company said that while eight were confirmed dead and eight remained missing, more than 90 other employees had been located.
Featured image via screen capture
