At Least 1 Dead, 9 Others Missing in Chemical Tank Implosion at Washington State Mill

UNITED STATES – Crews resumed search efforts for nine workers at a Washington paper mill where a tank imploded Tuesday, releasing a highly destructive chemical mixture called “white liquor” and causing at least one confirmed death.

Authorities said there was no hope of finding more survivors. But before any bodies of the missing can be recovered, crews must first stabilize the tank, which was at risk of collapsing further and leaking more of the caustic liquid.

The implosion caused the huge circular tank to buckle and collapse on one side. While the cause remains unknown, authorities said there was no threat to the community of about 40,000 people.