A large-scale rescue operation began after a large amount of a substance called white alkali spilled from a 3.4 million liter tank at a factory in Longview, Washington state, on Tuesday.
“We can confirm that six out of nine bodies have been found,” said Brad Hannig, chief of the Longview Fire Department, at a press conference. “We continue to work with the medical examiner to notify families.”
On Wednesday, the deaths of two people were confirmed, bringing the total number of victims to eight.
Fear that 3 more died
Three other people are still considered missing and feared dead.
The accident at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company factory occurred early in the morning during shift change.
White alkali is a strongly alkaline solution containing sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, used to break down wood chips and pulp from which paper is made.
Rescuers are working “in an active and dangerous environment” to find the remaining victims, Hannig said.
Read more Ernestas Einoris. EU budget after Draghi: will it really strengthen Europe’s competitiveness?
Officials are trying to reassure the public that drinking water and air around the incident site are not contaminated.
“Longview water is safe,” said Chris Collins, director of public works for the city of Longview, at a press conference.
Produces disposable packaging
Brooks Stanfield, a federal Environmental Protection Agency official at the scene, said no hydrogen sulfide or other air pollutants of concern were detected during monitoring.
Japanese Nippon Paper Group subsidiary Nippon Dynawave Packaging states on its website that it produces 8 billion disposable packages annually, supplying customers in North America, Asia, and worldwide.
Read more Legal tobacco use in Lithuania decreased by 4.6% last year.
