Death toll from Washington state chemical tank rupture rises to 11

The death toll from the implosion of a tank containing a chemical material in the western US state of Washington has climbed to 11.

On Tuesday, a tank storing chemicals collapsed following a rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview. The firm is a subsidiary of Japan's Nippon Paper Group.

The Japanese company and local fire departments said that, by Sunday, they confirmed the deaths of nine employees who had all been unaccounted for.

They said that brought the total death toll to 11, with eight others injured.

The tank reportedly contained a chemical substance used in the production of paper materials.

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the rupture. They are also working with relevant agencies to assess the potential environmental impact on surrounding areas.

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