A Washington tank rupture killed 11 people at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co.’s paper mill in Longview after crews recovered six bodies, officials said Thursday.
The rupture happened at about 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, or 7:15 p.m. PKT, during a shift change in the southwestern Washington city.
Officials said three workers remained missing and presumed dead. The tank released more than 500,000 gallons of white liquor, a caustic chemical used in paper production.
Authorities said hazardous conditions slowed recovery work. Crews also had to decontaminate remains and equipment near the damaged tank.
The Environmental Protection Agency said some chemicals reached the Columbia River but showed no apparent environmental impact. Officials said local air and drinking water remained safe.
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Nippon Paper Group, the Japanese parent company, offered condolences as investigators examined the cause.
