A chemical tank ruptured Tuesday morning at a paper packaging facility in Longview, Washington, killing multiple workers and critically injuring others. Emergency responders remained at the site throughout the day.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. local time at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, located in Cowlitz County about 70 kilometers north of Portland, Oregon. According to Al Jazeera, the tank contained white liquor, a chemical solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used in the production of paper pulp. The tank held approximately 80,000 gallons and was about 60 percent full at the time of the rupture.
Scott Goldstein, the Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue chief who responded to the scene, said at a news conference that the number of deaths was undetermined. At least nine workers and one firefighter were transported to hospitals from the site.
PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview told ABC News it had treated nine patients connected to the incident, including one who had died. Six patients were listed in fair condition. Two others had been transferred to other facilities.
The Longview Fire Department issued a joint written statement with Nippon and the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Department confirming fatalities and multiple critical injuries. Authorities said the implosion posed no immediate threat to the surrounding community. Several patients were treated for chemical burns.
The investigation into what caused the tank to rupture was ongoing Tuesday.
