Major Canned Tuna Company Is Facing Charges After A Worker Gets Boiled Alive In A Vat Of Fish

Jose Melena, an employee of Bumble Bee Seafoods, died in 2012 after being cooked alive with 12,000 pounds of tuna. According to the Los Angeles Times, his coworkers had no idea he was inside the plant’s industrial pressure cooker doing maintenance. In a terrifying turn of events, Melena was boiled alive at a temperature high of 270 degrees F.

Former safety manager Saul Florez and director of plant operations Angel Rodriguez were both charged on April 26 with three felony counts for committing for violating safety and health in the workplace. Investigation of the accident has been ongoing since 2012.

The company has publicly stated that Melena’s death was a tragic accident, however, they were disappointed by the charges filed by LA prosecutors. An investigation by the California Division of Occupational Safety & Health discovered there was no willful violations in relation to the accident.

According to prosecutors, Bumble Bee could face a fine of as much as $1.5 million.