LONGVIEW, WA – The death toll from a catastrophic chemical tank rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill has risen to eight after rescue crews recovered the bodies of six missing employees on Thursday.
Massive Chemical Tank Rupture
The disaster began Tuesday morning when a massive tank containing “white liquor”—a highly hazardous chemical mixture used in paper-making—ruptured at the pulp and paper facility. The resulting blast caused severe structural damage throughout the mill, located near the Columbia River on the Washington-Oregon border.
Two employees died at local hospitals shortly after the incident, while the six newly recovered victims were found clustered in a worker congregation area. Longview Fire Battalion Chief Matt Amos noted the blast occurred during a shift change.
Deadliest Industrial Tragedy
Three employees remain missing. Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig confirmed that recovery efforts are ongoing in what Washington Governor Bob Ferguson warned could be the deadliest industrial tragedy in modern state history.
Hazmat teams face extreme conditions, requiring full decontamination every time they exit the disaster zone due to lingering chemical hazards. The mill has been completely shut down, except for minimal staff monitoring critical infrastructure.
Environmental Impact and Water Safety
While authorities confirmed that chemical contamination entered the Columbia River, Longview Public Works Director Chris Collins assured residents that the city’s drinking water remains safe.
Emergency crews successfully diverted the contaminated water away from local wellhead protection areas. The city’s water is drawn from a 200-foot-deep aquifer, shielding it from surface contamination.
Federal and State Investigations Open
Both the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries have launched independent investigations to determine the cause of the rupture.
The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office will release the names of the victims once all recoveries are complete and families have been notified.
