US chemical spill death toll rises to eight, three missing

Eight people have died following a chemical spill at a paper plant in Longview, Washington state. Three others remain missing and are presumed dead. The incident occurred Tuesday when a 900,000-gallon tank of white liquor, a caustic solution used to break down wood chips for paper pulp, ruptured at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company.

Fire Chief Brad Hannig of the Longview Fire Department stated that six of the nine individuals involved have been recovered. "We continue working with the coroner to notify families," he said during a news conference. Two deaths were confirmed Wednesday, bringing the total to eight.

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We can confirm that six of the nine individuals have been recovered. We continue working with the coroner to notify families.

Rescuers are navigating a hazardous environment to find the remaining victims. However, officials assured the public that drinking water and air quality around the site are not contaminated. "Longview’s water is safe," said Chris Collins, public works director for the City of Longview. The Environmental Protection Agency also reported no detected air contaminants.

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Longview’s water is safe.