Washington: 1 succumbed and nine others were missing after a mass chemical tank imploded and collapsed on Tuesday. Authorities expressed grief saying there was no hope for rescue of the nine who were unaccounted for. Some victims, number unknown-suffered burns or inhalation injuries said officials adding the severity ranged from minor to critical injuries.
Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein addressing a press conference on Tuesday said-“At the moment we are not aware of any rescues that are yet to be made.”
Emergency forces will be deployed on Wednesday morning that would stabilize the collapsed tank that still hold 90,000 gallons of ‘white liquor’ inside. Following which a search team will be constituted. According to sources, the officials said they would be able to work only during daytime because the tanks still has a risk of leaking more caustic liquid and collapsing.
“We don’t know until we know, hopefully tomorrow, how we can stabilise the tank. Do we remove the product first? Do we stabilise the tank first or the vice versa?” Goldstein added.
The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility is a pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant along the Columbia River in Longview, a city of about 38,000 that has had a relationship with the paper and lumber industries since its founding by a Kansas City timber baron in the 1920s. The facility employs about 1,000 people. It makes material for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates, cartons and other goods.
The tank contained a corrosive substance that consists mainly of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide and is used to break down wood to make kraft paper, a durable paper used in packaging, shopping bags and other products.
The cause of the accident still remains unclear.
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