(CNN) -- Two workers at a wastewater treatment plant were missing Tuesday afternoon after the wall of an overflow tank collapsed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The tank collapsed Tuesday morning at the Gatlinburg Wastewater Treatment Plant, dumping at least 1.5 million gallons of sewage into the Pigeon Forge River, according to the state's Emergency Management Agency. The cause was unknown.
The two workers are employed by a contract company, officials said.
"Our top priority is the welfare and safety of the employees," said Gatlinburg City Manager Cindy Ogle.
The wall collapse involved an overflow storage basin for liquid waste that commonly inundates the plant after a heavy rain, according to Tisha Calabrese-Benton, an Emergency Management official.
The basin was not completely full, so it is not known exactly how much sewage was released. Calabrese-Benton said the plant continued to release incoming sewage into the river.
A mudslide occurred about one mile from the facility, several hours before the wall collapse, Ogle said.
The Sevier County Sheriff's Office is searching the river for the missing workers.
Meanwhile, crews are putting up signs to warn tourists away from the river, which was already under advisory because of previous concerns about bacteria, according to Calabrese-Benton.
Gatlinburg, a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, is a popular mountain resort city. Attractions including whitewater rafting, golf courses, hiking trails, an arts and crafts community and a conference center.
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