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Workers Killed and Injured in Chemical Leak at Washington Factory

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Workers lost their lives and others were seriously injured following a chemical leak at a packaging paper production plant in Washington State, in the north‑west United States, authorities said on Tuesday.

A tank containing a “white liquid” leaked at a facility of Nippon Dynawave Packaging, a subsidiary of Japan’s Nippon Paper group, according to a joint statement by the company and the fire department of the city of Longview, published on Facebook.

The statement refers to “deaths” and “serious injuries” as a result of the incident, without providing specific numbers.

It adds that there is no immediate danger to the general public, although it does not provide details on the nature of the substance that leaked.

The industry produces cardboard packaging for liquids.

According to a fire department officer, Scott Goldstein, ten people, including a firefighter, suffered a “wide range” of injuries, ranging from minor to critical.

According to Mr Goldstein, the tank from which the liquid leaked had a capacity of 80,000 gallons (300,000 litres) and was filled to around 60%.

“I am deeply saddened that there have been deaths,” Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson said in a post on X, expressing his condolences to the victims’ families and adding that his thoughts are with the workers, their families and first responders.

Source: protothema.gr

 

 

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