A Deadly Industrial Accident in Washington State
A chemical tank rupture at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, has claimed at least two lives, with nine other workers still missing and presumed dead. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, ranks among the most lethal workplace disasters in the United States in recent years.
What Happened at the Paper Mill
The accident took place at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility, a plant employing approximately 1,000 people that produces materials for tissue, printing paper, cups, plates, and cartons. Around shift change on Tuesday morning, a large circular storage tank buckled on one side and released its contents. The vessel, which had a total capacity of roughly 900,000 gallons (3.4 million liters), was more than half full at the time of the failure. More than 500,000 gallons (1.9 million liters) of “white liquor” — a highly corrosive chemical mixture composed primarily of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, used in the kraft papermaking process — spilled out.
Casualties and Search Efforts
Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that two individuals have died, including one person who succumbed to injuries after being hospitalized. Eight others were injured, among them a firefighter who was treated and later released. Nine employees remain unaccounted for, and officials have stated that there is no hope of finding them alive.
Search and recovery operations resumed on Wednesday after being delayed due to concerns that the damaged tank might collapse further. Crews eventually determined that the tank contained less liquid than initially estimated and that the structure was stable enough to proceed. However, fire officials described the search as “slow and methodical,” noting that they are uncertain of the exact locations of the missing individuals.
Environmental Impact and Public Safety
Despite the large spill, authorities have assured residents that the air and drinking water in Longview — a Columbia River city of about 40,000 people with deep ties to the paper and lumber industries — remain safe. Some of the chemical mixture did reach the Columbia River, one of North America’s largest waterways. Nevertheless, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that no observable effects on the river had been detected. Officials warned the public to stay away from ditches and dikes in the area.
Community Response and Victim Identification
The names of the deceased and missing have not been officially released, though some have begun to emerge through family and friends. Todd Cornwell identified his friend, Gilbert Bernal, an electrician at the plant, as the first confirmed fatality. Cornwell said the two knew each other through church and shared a Bible study group. “He was always there willing to help in whatever needed to be done,” Cornwell recalled.
Brian Williquette, a chemical supplier for regional mills, was present at the plant on Tuesday morning when an alarm sounded over the intercom. He initially wondered if it was a drill but was able to evacuate safely. “It’s just unfathomable,” he said at a community vigil. “There’s not anybody that lives here that doesn’t know somebody at a paper mill.”
Crystal Moldenhauer, a Longview resident, said she has friends at the plant who remain unaccounted for. “We’re all still waiting for answers,” she said. “There’s families that have been torn apart, and we don’t know why.”
Company Response and Federal Investigation
Nippon Paper Group issued a statement on Wednesday offering its “deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.” Meanwhile, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board announced it would open an investigation. Board Chairperson Steve Owens stated that the objective is to “determine how it happened and what can be done to prevent something like this from happening again.”
Expert Perspective on Industrial Safety
Stephen Kmiotek, a professor of chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, noted that chemical tanks of this kind are used across virtually all industries and are generally quite safe. He emphasized, however, that proper maintenance and regular inspections are critical, particularly as tanks age.
A Broader Context
This incident marks the second notable chemical-tank-related event on the West Coast within days. Earlier this week, thousands of residents in Southern California were evacuated due to an overheated tank at an aerospace plant; those evacuation orders were lifted Tuesday night.