The collapse of a chemical tank at a mill and paper mill in southwestern Washington state on Tuesday injured at least 10 people, with an unknown number of others killed or missing, authorities said.
In a joint statement, Nippon Dynawave Installations and local first response agencies confirmed that there were fatalities.
Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein later told a news conference that it was unclear how many workers had been killed. When asked how many remain missing, he replied:
“We have information about that, but we are not releasing that information.”
Among the injured is a firefighter. Authorities said some of the victims suffered burns or inhalation injuries, and that the severity of those injuries ranged from minor to serious. There was no immediate threat to the public, they said.
The statement issued more than four hours after the tank was attacked at 7.15 in the morning, said that the workers are continuing with the rescue operations and that no identifying information will be given about the victims pending the information of their relatives.
