Chemical leak at paper factory in Longview, Washington, causes deaths and injuries

Multiple fatalities and severe injuries have been reported following a chemical leak at a paper manufacturing plant in Longview, Washington. The incident occurred Tuesday at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company facility, located north of Portland, Oregon.

Authorities confirmed that a tank containing "white liquor" ruptured at the plant. White liquor is a chemical mixture, primarily sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, essential for producing paper and pulp. The rupture led to several serious injuries, according to a joint statement from the company and the Longview Fire Department.

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The preliminary information indicates that the rupture resulted in several serious injuries.

While the statement indicated that "there were deaths related to the incident," the exact number of deceased and injured individuals has not been specified. The company assured that the incident poses no immediate threat to the public. Nippon Dynawave Packaging is a subsidiary of Japan's Nippon Paper Group.

Emergency responders, including firefighters, were dispatched to the scene. A spokesperson for PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview confirmed that the hospital received nine patients, one of whom had died. Other patients were being treated at Legacy Oregon Burn Center in Portland. Some victims suffered burns or inhalation injuries, with conditions ranging from minor to critical.

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Authorities can also confirm that there were deaths related to the incident.