Bond.az - The search for nine missing people after a chemical tank implosion in Washington state has transitioned from rescue to recovery, authorities said Wednesday, likely bringing the total death toll to 11.
Officials had previously confirmed two fatalities. At least eight others were injured, some critically.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said: "We are bracing for this being the deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history."
The incident occurred at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility. A 900,000-gallon vat containing "white liquor" - a sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide solution used in paper pulp production - imploded early Tuesday. The chemical can cause severe skin burns.
Fire chief Matt Amos said the recovery effort would be slow due to the "extremely hazardous" environment.
About 550,000-570,000 gallons of material left the tank, with some still slowly leaking. Testing confirmed contamination entered the Columbia River, but authorities say no negative health impacts have been identified for air or drinking water. About a dozen carp died in a nearby pond.
