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A chemical tank imploded and ruptured at a Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in the U.S. state of Washington on Tuesday, resulting in multiple deaths and critical injuries, authorities said.

Emergency responders remained at the site in the city of Longview in Cowlitz County, about 45 miles north of Portland, Oregon, said the Longview Fire Department in a joint written statement with Nippon and the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Department.

Multiple patients who suffered from chemical burns and other injuries were transported to nearby hospitals. Authorities said the implosion posed “no immediate threat to the surrounding community.”

The statement said that officials “can confirm fatalities related to the incident” along with “multiple critical injuries,” but did not provide figures.

At least nine workers and one firefighter were taken to hospitals from the site, said Scott Goldstein, the Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue chief who was among those who responded. The number of fatalities was “undetermined,” he added at a press conference.

PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview said it had seen nine patients related to the incident, including one who had died. Six of the patients were in fair condition, and two other patients had been transferred.

The joint statement said that a tank containing “white liquor,” a chemical solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used in production of paper pulp, had ruptured around 7:15 a.m. local time (1415 GMT).

Goldstein said at the press conference that the 80,000-gallon tank was approximately 60% full.

In southern California, meanwhile, authorities have been monitoring an overheating industrial tank containing highly flammable methyl methacrylate. The worst-case possibility of an explosion was ruled out on Monday at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove after a crack relieved some of the mounting pressure, officials said.

Orange County Fire Authority spokesman Greg Barta said in an update on Tuesday morning that the temperature in the tank was holding steady and that crews were working to ensure that people evacuated could get home as soon as possible.

Longview

Longview is a city in Washington state, United States, founded in the early 1920s as a planned community by the Long-Bell Lumber Company. It was designed by architect George Kessler and quickly grew into a major timber and shipping hub along the Columbia River. Today, Longview is known for its historic downtown, parks, and ongoing role in regional industry and commerce.

Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County, located in southwestern Washington state, was established in 1854 and named after the Cowlitz people, a Native American tribe that historically inhabited the region. The county’s early economy was driven by the fur trade, logging, and the Cowlitz River’s role as a transportation route. Today, it is known for its natural landscapes, including Mount St. Helens, and the city of Longview, a planned industrial community founded in the 1920s.

Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon, is a major city in the Pacific Northwest known for its vibrant culture, extensive parks, and craft beer scene. Founded in 1845 on the Willamette River, it grew rapidly as a key port and timber hub, earning the nickname “Rose City” for its famous International Rose Test Garden. Today, Portland is celebrated for its progressive values, quirky neighborhoods, and strong emphasis on sustainability and local food.

PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center

PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center is a major hospital located in Longview, Washington, with roots tracing back to the early 20th century. It was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 1912 as St. John’s Hospital, originally a small facility serving the local logging and industrial community. Today, it operates as a comprehensive medical center under the PeaceHealth system, offering a wide range of healthcare services to the region.

Garden Grove

Garden Grove is a city located in Orange County, California, known for its diverse community and the iconic Crystal Cathedral, now known as Christ Cathedral. Originally settled as a farming community in the late 19th century, it was officially incorporated in 1956 and has since grown into a vibrant suburban hub. The city’s history is rooted in agriculture, particularly citrus and strawberry farming, before transforming into a residential and commercial center.

Orange County

Orange County, located in Southern California, was originally inhabited by the Tongva and Acjachemen peoples before Spanish colonization in the 18th century. It became an independent county in 1889, named after its vast citrus groves that dominated the economy until the mid-20th century. Today, it’s known for its affluent communities, beaches, and major attractions like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.