At least one dead and others injured after chemical tank rupture at Washington paper mill

Officials have confirmed at least one person has died and several others are still missing, after a chemical tank ruptured at a paper mill in Washington.

The ‘hazardous materials incident’ occurred at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview at around 7.15 local time.

Authorities have confirmed at least 10 people have been injured in the incident.

In a joint statement from Longview Fire Department, Nippon Dynawave Packaging and local agencies, officials confirmed there had been ‘fatalities related to the incident’.

"The scene remains in the recovery phase as emergency responders continue operations,” the statement continued.

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"No identifying information regarding injured or deceased individuals will be released at this time pending notification of family members."

Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said nine of those injured are employees at the plant and one was a firefighter who has since been treated at a local hospital.

According to officials, the injuries range from ‘critical severe to minor’, and include burn and inhalation injuries, the BBC reports.

Goldstein went on to say there was an ‘unknown number of fatalities’ but that officials had ‘confirmed that there are fatalities’.

“There are also individuals who remain unaccounted for as crews continue the accountability and recovery operations,” Longview Fire Department battalion chief Mike Gorsuch said at a press conference.

Longview Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch (KING 5 Seattle)

A spokesperson from PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center told NBC News that it had received nine patients following the incident, including one that had died.

Authorities said the tank that ruptured holds around 300,000 litres of white liquor, a chemical mixture containing sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used in the paper-making process, and was about 60% full at the time.

Goldstein confirmed the scene is stable and poses no threat to the wider community, but told the public to stay away from the area while fire fighting efforts continue.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said in a social media post that he and his team are ‘tracking developments at the plant’ following the incident.

"I'm deeply saddened to hear that there have been fatalities," he said.

"My thoughts are with the workers and their families, and with the first responders."

The Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility makes tissues, printer paper, cups, plates, cartons, and other goods, and employs around 1,000 people, according to the Department of Ecology.