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At least two people were killed and nine others injured after a catastrophic chemical tank rupture at a paper mill in Longview, Washington.
Deadly Chemical Tank Rupture at Pulp and Paper Mill
The explosion occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility in Longview, Washington, roughly 50 miles north of Portland near the Washington-Oregon border.
According to officials, a 900,000-gallon chemical storage tank ruptured during operations at the pulp-and-paper mill, triggering a massive blast and hazardous chemical release.
Authorities initially reported that multiple workers were missing following the explosion. As of Thursday morning, at least nine workers remain unaccounted for following the explosion, and rescue operations have since transitioned into recovery efforts at the heavily damaged facility
Nine injured individuals were transported to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center for treatment, including workers suffering injuries ranging from minor trauma to severe burns. Several victims were later transferred to regional hospitals for advanced care.
As of Wednesday, officials confirmed at least two fatalities. Family members identified one of the deceased as Gilbert Bernal, describing him as “an amazing husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend.”
Longview Community Searching for Answers
Nippon Dynawave employs roughly 1,000 workers at its Longview pulp-and-paper and packaging facility, and the explosion has devastated the surrounding community.
Residents gathered Tuesday evening for a vigil honoring the victims and supporting families still awaiting answers.
“There’s families that have been torn apart,” Longview resident Crystal Moldenhauer told the Associated Press. “And we don’t know why.”
Authorities have not yet publicly identified all victims involved in the explosion.
Investigation Underway Into “White Liquor” Chemical Tank Rupture
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has launched an investigation into the incident to determine what caused the tank failure and whether the explosion could have been prevented.
Investigators arrived at the site Wednesday as emergency crews continued stabilization and recovery operations.
Officials said the ruptured tank contained “white liquor,” a highly caustic chemical solution used in paper manufacturing processes, typically containing compounds such as sodium hydroxide (lye) and sodium sulfide. Exposure can cause severe chemical burns upon skin contact and may create dangerous airborne vapors in concentrated environments.
Early reports estimated roughly 90,000 gallons of chemical material remained inside the damaged tank following the rupture. However, subsequent inspections determined approximately 25,000 gallons remained contained within a more stable portion of the vessel.
Fire officials stated Wednesday that the tank has since been stabilized, allowing crews to begin planning for chemical removal and continued recovery efforts.
Authorities also confirmed that contamination from the release has spread into the Columbia River. Environmental officials are continuing to evaluate the extent and potential impact of that contamination.
Nippon Facility Has History of Safety Violations
Public records show the Nippon Dynawave facility has faced multiple safety-related investigations and citations in recent years.
According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, the plant currently has two ongoing inspections that began before the explosion and are unrelated to Tuesday’s incident. Those investigations reportedly involve concerns regarding a valve issue on an aqua ammonia clarifier tank and a sinkhole caused by a failed drain system.
Over the past five years, state inspectors have also cited the facility for alleged violations involving fall protection failures, personal protective equipment deficiencies, and failure to maintain a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause serious injury or death.
Investigators are expected to examine whether equipment failures, maintenance issues, operational errors, or safety violations contributed to the catastrophic tank rupture.
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