Massive Explosion In US: Chemical Tank Blast At Washington Paper Mill Kills Several

Washington: At 7:15 am on Tuesday morning, the area of ​​Southwestern Washington was shaken by a loud bang. There was a sudden explosion in a large chemical tank installed in the pulp and paper mill of Nippon Dynawave Packaging. Within seconds the entire unit became a pile of debris. People sitting several kilometers away said that the explosion was so strong that even the ground was felt shaking.

How many people were affected in the accident?

The local administration and the company have admitted that many laborers have lost their lives, but the exact number of deaths has not been disclosed yet. As of Tuesday evening, 9 employees are missing. Seeing the seriousness of the accident, the spot has been declared a “mass casualty scene”. A fire officer present at the spot said, "We are still evacuating people. This is one of the biggest industrial accidents in this area."

How did the rescue work go?

As soon as the news of the accident was received, the fire brigade, paramedics and Hazmat team rushed to the spot. More than 40 soldiers tried to rescue people by removing debris for hours. According to officials, there was a danger of poisonous gas coming out from the broken tanks. For this reason, the entire team had to wear safety kits and work very carefully.

What is the condition of the injured?

In the joint statement of Nippon Dynawave Packaging and the police, it was said that the bodies of many employees have been badly burnt. Some people fell ill due to the poisonous gas spread after the blast. All the injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals. Doctors are busy treating them, but no new information has been received on their condition.

What is believed to be the cause of the blast?

Investigation teams are now scanning the debris. Initial suspicion is that the pressure in the chemical tank may have increased or some technical fault may have occurred. Officers say that nothing can be said with certainty right now. The company spokesperson said, “The real reason will be known only after the investigation is completed.” Rescue teams are engaged in search operations throughout the night. Everyone is just waiting for good news.