May 9th 2:00 p.m. Non-essential evening employees were told not to come in. Essential employees not involved in the site assessment were asked to report for work tonight but stay away from the damaged site. Hanford still believes there is no leakage or risk to workers or the public.

May 9th 12:08 p.m. Hanford Workers who were previously on a take cover status are NOW being EVACUATED from the site!

There is still no indication of a release of contamination from the hole in the PUREX tunnel. Crews are continuing to monitor the air in the vicinity and have not detected contamination. Hanford Site employees north of the Wye Barricade and outside of the 200 East Area are now being released from work early as a precaution (as of 12:00 PM). Personnel in the 200 East Area remain sheltered in-place.

This picture shows a 20 foot by 20 foot hole in the roof of a tunnel that is hundreds of feet long. Surveys of the area show no indication of release of contamination as a result of the cave-in.

Hanford collapse
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