Dust explosions in agro-business plants are becoming more frequent, however postmortem data on the victims are rare. The authors engaged in a postmortem examination of all 22 victims of the 2 explosions. All victims had multiple lesions; the lesions demonstrated direct involvement of the blast, heat from the explosion, and the effects of toxic gases and asphyxia. The authors discuss the types of burns; head and neck lesions; thoracic lesions and content; abdominal lesions and contents; lesions to the limbs, pelvis, and spine; and the condition of the heart and lungs in the victims. The authors note that the phlyctens found in the victims were superficial burns indicating rapid thermal action. The importance of the involvement of forensic pathologists in emergency planning is underscored. Tables, references