Chemical Tank Implosion at Paper Plant in Washington Leaves Dead and Injured
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
Authorities reported that 10 people, including a firefighter, were injured after a chemical tank imploded at a pulp and paper plant in Washington state on Tuesday. However, they declined to disclose how many workers had died or were missing. In a joint statement, authorities and Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. confirmed that the tank rupture caused 'multiple critical injuries' in addition to fatalities. Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein stated at a press conference that it was unclear how many workers had died. When asked how many were still missing, he replied, 'We have information on that, but we are not going to disclose that information.' Authorities noted that some victims suffered burns or inhalation injuries, but there was no immediate threat to the public. The statement, issued more than four hours after the tank imploded at 7:15 a.m., indicated that recovery operations were ongoing and that identifying information about the victims would not be released until family members were notified. Some people waited at the company's visitor entrance on Tuesday for information about loved ones who worked at the facility but declined to comment to an Associated Press reporter. The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility is a pulp and paper and liquid packaging plant that produces materials for paper towels, printing paper, cups, plates, cardboard boxes, and other products. It employs about 1,000 people, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology. The tank that imploded contained a chemical mixture known as 'white liquor,' a corrosive substance primarily made up of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, used to break down wood for making kraft paper, a durable type of paper used in packaging, shopping bags, and other products. Mike Gorsuch, battalion chief of the fire department in Longview, Washington, described it as a 'scene with a large number of victims.' He explained that rescuers decontaminated patients and transported them to hospitals in Longview and Vancouver, Washington. About 40 firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene, along with a regional hazardous materials team, Gorsuch indicated.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
