Chemical Tank Implosion at Washington Paper Mill Leaves Dead and Missing

A massive chemical tank holding nearly a million gallons of a highly corrosive liquid has imploded at a Washington paper mill, killing at least one worker and leaving nine others missing, authorities said, Claire Rush and Rebecca Boone reported for The Associated Press (AP).

The cause of the Dynawave Nippon Packaging Co. chemical plant implosion remains under investigation. (Photo: Dynawave Nippon Packaging Co. Facebook)

Another nine people were injured, some critically, in the incident at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview.

The cause remains under investigation.

“At the moment we are not aware of any rescues that are yet to be made,” Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said during a Tuesday evening news conference.

Officials said recovery efforts would resume Wednesday morning after stabilizing the collapsed tank, which still contained about 90,000 gallons of a chemical mixture known as “white liquor.” Injuries ranged from minor to severe, including burns and inhalation injuries.

One responding firefighter was also injured.