Chemical tank implosion at Washington paper facility leaves multiple dead

WASHINGTON: Multiple people were killed and several others critically injured after a chemical tank imploded and ruptured at a packaging facility in the US state of Washington on Tuesday, authorities said.

The incident occurred at a facility operated by Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company in the city of Longview, located in Cowlitz County about 45 miles north of Portland, Oregon.

Emergency responders remained at the site for hours following the accident, according to a joint statement issued by the Longview Fire Department, the company and the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Department.

Officials confirmed fatalities linked to the incident along with “multiple critical injuries”, though an exact death toll was not immediately released.

Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said at least nine workers and one firefighter were transported to nearby hospitals after suffering chemical burns and other injuries.

“The number of fatalities remains undetermined,” Goldstein told reporters during a press conference.

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PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center confirmed it had received nine patients connected to the explosion, including one person who later died. Hospital officials said six patients were listed in fair condition, while two others were transferred to different medical facilities.

Authorities said the accident involved an 80,000-gallon tank containing “white liquor”, a chemical solution made of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide commonly used in paper pulp manufacturing.

Goldstein stated the tank was approximately 60% full when it ruptured at around 7:15am local time.

Officials stressed there was “no immediate threat to the surrounding community” despite the scale of the explosion.

Meanwhile, in a separate industrial safety incident in southern California, emergency crews continued monitoring an overheating industrial tank containing highly flammable methyl methacrylate at a GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove.

Authorities said the worst-case scenario of an explosion was ruled out after pressure inside the tank was partially relieved through a crack that formed in the structure.

Orange County Fire Authority spokesman Greg Barta said crews were working to stabilise the situation and allow evacuated residents to safely return home as soon as possible.