LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Crews have recovered six of nine workers missing and presumed to be dead after a chemical tank rupture in Washington state, officials said Thursday.The total death toll is 11, including three who are still missing. It’s one of the deadliest U.S. workplace accidents in recent decades.Officials say the paper mill tank ruptured and spilled more than 500,000 gallons (1.9 million liters) of a highly destructive chemical mixture used in paper manufacturing at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, a city along the Columbia River.Among the 11 victims were a grandfather who was always willing to help anyone and a young husband described as selfless and caring, according to friends who organized fundraisers for the victims’ families.Fire officials said Wednesday that the recovery of the missing would be slow and deliberate because of the dangers posed by the remaining chemicals.
Authorities said the cause of the disaster is still under investigation. They have not released the names of those who were killed, but friends and relatives had begun confirming their names and posting online fundraisers to support their families.
5 MIN READ
1 MIN READ
4 MIN READ
