Two people are confirmed dead and nine others remain unaccounted for after a chemical vat imploded at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill in Longview, Washington, sending emergency crews into a large-scale recovery operation. Officials said the tank held white liquor, a highly destructive industrial chemical, and the incident has already been described by state leaders as one of the most severe workplace disasters in modern Washington history.
The implosion happened at the facility on Industrial Way shortly after 7:15 a.m. Tuesday. One person died at the scene, and another later died at a hospital, while eight more people, including a firefighter, were injured and taken to area hospitals.
Recovery efforts continue
Search and recovery operations were underway Wednesday for the nine people still missing and presumed dead. Officials said any remains recovered will be decontaminated before being sent to the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office for identification and family notification.
Work at the site was slowed at first because responders had concerns about the tank’s structural stability. Authorities initially believed about 90,000 gallons of chemical product might still be inside, but an inspection later found the remaining amount was closer to 25,000 gallons and that the tank was in a stable position.
That assessment allowed emergency crews to start developing a plan to remove the remaining material safely. Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the implosion and whether there is any risk of another failure.
State and federal investigations underway
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson called the event “the deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history” during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board said it will begin its own investigation into the incident.
Officials have said there is no direct threat to the surrounding community. They also said there are no reported negative impacts to air quality or to the City of Longview’s drinking water system.
Safety precautions around the mill
Authorities are still asking the public to avoid the area near the mill, including streets between Washington Way and Prudential Blvd. People are also being told to stay away from ditches and dikes in the city while water testing continues.
Some of the injured remain under treatment at hospitals, including the Oregon Burn Center. As crews continue working through the damaged site, officials say the focus remains on recovery, identification, and determining how a tank failure of this scale could have happened at a major industrial facility.
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