A chemical tank implosion at a pulp and paper mill in southwestern Washington state on May 26 resulted in at least 10 fatalities and numerous injuries, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility in Longview, a city of approximately 38,000 residents with deep roots in the timber and paper industries.
Incident Details
The 80,000-gallon (303,000-liter) tank, which was about 60% full, collapsed at 7:15 a.m. local time. It contained a corrosive chemical mixture known as white liquor, composed mainly of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, used in the kraft paper manufacturing process. The implosion caused the chemical to spill into a drainage ditch, prompting a response from the Washington State Ecology Department to assess environmental impacts.
In a joint statement, Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. and local emergency agencies confirmed fatalities, though the exact number remained undisclosed. Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein stated that the number of missing workers was not being released pending notification of relatives. Among the injured was a responding firefighter, with victims suffering burns and inhalation injuries ranging from minor to critical. There was no immediate threat to the public, officials said.
Emergency Response
Approximately 40 firefighters and paramedics, along with a regional hazardous materials team, responded to the scene. Patients were decontaminated and transported to hospitals in Longview and Vancouver, Washington. Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch of the Longview Fire Department described the scene as a mass casualty incident.
Chief Goldstein noted the emotional toll on responders, many of whom have friends and relatives working at the plant. Support networks were established for both workers and emergency personnel.
Community Impact
The facility, which employs about 1,000 people, produces materials for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates, and cartons. Located in an industrial zone alongside other timber, paper, and chemical businesses, the mill is a cornerstone of the local economy. Families gathered at the company's visitor entrance seeking information about loved ones, though they declined to comment.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray of Washington called the implosion an absolute tragedy, expressing condolences for the victims and injured workers.
Investigation
The cause of the implosion remains under investigation. Chief Goldstein stated it was too early to determine what led to the tank's failure. The incident echoes a broader concern about chemical safety, as a 2023 report by environmental justice organizations documented over 40 deaths from hazardous chemical incidents between January 2021 and mid-October 2023.
This story was reported by Associated Press journalists Claire Rush in Longview, Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, with contributions from Gene Johnson in Seattle and Christopher L. Keller in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
