At least one person is dead and nine are unaccounted for after a chemical tank imploded at a southwest Washington paper mill Tuesday morning. Other workers were critically injured when the tank of white liquor, a highly caustic pulp-processing chemical, ruptured at the Nippon Dynawave plant in Longview around 7:18am, the New York Times reports. Authorities said the tank held nearly a million gallons of the chemical and an estimated 90,000 gallons remained after the implosion, complicating rescue efforts, reports the AP.
- "Currently, the tank remains unstable, creating hazardous conditions for emergency personnel, the Longview Fire Department said in a Facebook post. "Responders are continuing efforts to structurally reinforce and stabilize the site before additional recovery operations can safely proceed. These conditions continue to impact portions of the facility and limit access to some areas of the site."
Authorities say at least 10 people suffered severe chemical burns and other injuries and were taken to hospitals in Longview and Vancouver. An injured firefighter was treated and released, KATU reports. Mike Gorsuch, a battalion chief with the Longview Fire Department, described it as a "mass casualty scene," reports the AP. Authorities say there is no immediate danger to the wider public but are urging people to avoid the area while the response continues, KOMO News reports. The facility, a large pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant, employs roughly 1,000 workers across its operations. This story has been updated with new developments.
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