Deaths reported after chemical tank implodes at US pulp and paper mill

The tank contained ‘white liquor’, a corrosive substance that consists mainly of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulphide

The implosion of a chemical tank at a pulp and paper mill in southwestern Washington state on Tuesday injured at least 10 people, while an undisclosed number of others had been killed or remained missing, authorities said.

In a joint statement, Nippon Dynawave Packaging and local first response agencies confirmed there had been fatalities.

Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein later told a news conference that it was unclear how many workers had been killed. Asked how many remained missing, he replied:

“We have information on that, but we’re not releasing that information.”

Among those injured was a responding firefighter. Authorities said some victims had suffered burns or inhalation injuries, and that the severity of the injuries ranged from minor to critical. There was no immediate threat to the public, they said.

The statement, issued more than four hours after the tank imploded at 7.15am, said crews were continuing recovery operations and that no identifying information would be released about victims pending notification of relatives.