OXFORDSHIRE, England, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- British emergency workers fear three people still missing in the collapse of an abandoned power plant in Oxfordshire are likely dead.
Searchers Wednesday have yet to find the three people missing in the wreckage of the concrete and steel structure, which collapsed Tuesday. One person died in the incident, five were hospitalized and another 50 were treated for dust inhalation.
Sniffer dogs worked through the night to locate the remaining missing individuals, though there were no signs of life.
Oxfordshire Assistant Chief Fire Officer Simon Furlong said officials still considered the search a rescue operation.
"We have three dog teams on site working overnight, but we haven't picked up any clear signs of life. We are continuing to search and locate the missing persons and we are working hard with the other agencies."
Originally operating as a coal and oil power plant at its grand opening in 1970, the power station and was later converted so it could also generate power from natural gas. It has been out of commission since March 2013.
Three of its six cooling towers were demolished last year. The remaining three towers were expected to be removed before the end of the year.
