An implosion at a chemical tank inside a pulp and paper mill in southwestern Washington on Tuesday left one person dead and 9 others missing, according to local authorities and company officials.
Mike Gorsuch, battalion chief with the fire department in Longview, described the site as a “mass casualty scene.” He said emergency teams decontaminated victims before transporting them to hospitals in Longview and Vancouver. Around 40 firefighters, paramedics and a regional hazardous materials team responded to the scene.
The incident occurred around 7.15am (local time), and recovery operations were still underway hours later. Authorities said the identities of the victims would not be released until their families had been informed, AP reported.
The company operates a pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant that produces materials used in tissues, printing paper, cartons, cups and plates. The facility employs around 1,000 workers, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
In a joint statement, Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co and law enforcement officials said the tank rupture resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries, including burn and inhalation cases. Officials added there was no immediate danger to the public.
