Explosion at Mississippi paper plant kills one

The blast at the International Paper plant in Vicksburg was caused by a boiler explosion about 3:15 p.m., said Nicole Vera, deputy director of 911 services.

Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey confirmed the death of a man, whose identity was withheld pending family notification.

About 400 workers were at the plant Saturday; 17 were taken to a nearby hospital, said John Adams, the plant's manager of environmental health and safety. All of the injured were contracted workers, though their employers weren't immediately known, he said.

No International Paper employees were hurt in the explosion, which remains under investigation, said company spokeswoman Amy Sawyer.

The explosion occurred during the start-up of a recovery boiler as the mill was undergoing annual maintenance, Sawyer said.