LONGVIEW, Wash. — A person who was transported from the scene Tuesday has died as a result of their injuries. That brings the list of confirmed fatalities to two.
According to the Longview Fire Department, a tank containing white liquor ruptured at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant on Tuesday. White liquor is a chemical mixture used in paper manufacturing.
Nine individuals are still missing as of Wednesday morning. Recovery efforts were delayed due to safety concerns of the structural integrity of the damaged tank but will start up today at Nippon Dynawave Packaging.
LFD says when people are recovered, they will undergo decontamination before being transported to the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office for identification and family notification.
Environmental monitoring and mitigation efforts continue at the site. Representatives from the Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are assisting with monitoring air and water quality and are overseeing operations related to potential environmental impacts.
At this time, LFD says there are no negative health impacts to air quality or the city’s drinking water system. The public is asked to keep away from ditches and dikes in the city while water testing is underway.
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