A tragic incident occurred at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co in Longview, Washington state, where a worker lost their life and nine others are currently missing following the collapse of a chemical tank holding close to a million gallons of a highly corrosive liquid.

Authorities confirmed that the collapsed tank, which still contains approximately 90,000 gallons of a chemical mixture known as “white liquor,” has no survivors to rescue. The cause of the tank implosion remains unknown.

Emergency responders are set to resume recovery efforts today by first stabilizing the collapsed tank before initiating a search for the missing individuals. The injuries sustained by those affected range from minor to critical, with some suffering burns or inhalation injuries, including a firefighter.

Due to the risk of further leaks and potential collapse of the tank, officials have limited their operations to daylight hours. The community has come together in a vigil to support those impacted, with concerns raised about missing loved ones and the need for answers.

The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co facility, a key part of the Longview community with a history dating back to the 1920s, serves as a pulp and paper mill producing various paper and packaging materials. The facility employs around 1,000 workers and is vital to the local economy.

The “white liquor” stored in the tank is primarily composed of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, used in the process of making kraft paper. Following the tank rupture, the liquid spilled into a drainage ditch, prompting an evaluation by the State Ecology Department to assess environmental impacts.

While safety complaints unrelated to the incident have been filed against Nippon Dynawave, authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. The community and officials are demanding transparency and accountability in handling the aftermath of the incident.