A day after a powerful explosion tore through a nursing home in Pennsylvania, authorities are continuing to assess the heavy damage while working to identify all victims of the tragic blast. The explosion killed two people, injured at least 20 others, and forced the evacuation of many residents, turning an ordinary afternoon into a devastating scene of chaos and fear.

One of the victims has been identified as 52-year-old Muthoni Nduthu of Bristol, according to the local coroner’s office. Nduthu worked as a certified nursing assistant at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center, also known as Silver Lake Nursing Home. She was among those caught inside the building when the explosion caused part of the facility to collapse in the Philadelphia suburb of Bristol Township.

The explosion happened around 2:20 p.m. on December 23, trapping residents and staff inside the damaged building. Firefighters and emergency crews rushed to the scene and launched a large search-and-rescue effort that lasted several hours. Officials said terrified residents were rescued from windows, stairwells, and even elevator shafts as crews worked quickly to bring everyone to safety.

In addition to Nduthu, another victim died from injuries suffered in the explosion. That individual has not yet been publicly identified. At least 20 other people were hurt, some seriously, and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Many residents were displaced after the blast, as the building was deemed unsafe. The nursing home has more than 150 beds, but it is still unclear how many residents and staff were inside at the time.

Search teams worked late into the night on December 23 to make sure no one was left behind. Authorities later confirmed that all residents and employees had been accounted for, bringing some relief to anxious families waiting for news about their loved ones. The damaged sections of the building remain under close inspection as safety crews continue their work.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said early findings suggest a gas leak may have caused the “catastrophic” explosion. Crews from PECO, the local energy company, were reportedly responding to complaints of a gas smell at the nursing home shortly before the blast occurred. An official investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing as the community mourns the lives lost and hopes for the recovery of the injured.