A chemical implosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Facility in Longview, Washington, has left at least one person dead and nine employees still missing.

The incident involved a large tank of highly corrosive “white liquor,” which ruptured and caused chemical burns and other injuries to workers and a responding firefighter.

Ten people were taken to hospital, with one employee later pronounced dead while others are in varying conditions, though no ongoing threat to the public has been reported.

Emergency crews have paused full recovery efforts due to the unstable and hazardous condition of the remaining chemical-filled tank, KATU has reported.

Authorities, including state officials and the National Guard, are now focused on stabilizing the site so they can safely continue search and recovery operations.