A tragic incident unfolded at a Washington paper mill on Tuesday when a tank containing a corrosive chemical mixture ruptured and collapsed, resulting in the death of at least one person. Additionally, nine individuals are currently unaccounted for, according to local authorities.
The collapse at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview also left nine people injured, among them a firefighter. The injuries reported range from minor to critical, officials confirmed.
The focus of the operation has now transitioned from rescue to recovery, according to officials on the scene.
“At present, we do not anticipate any further rescues,” stated Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein during a press briefing.
EXPLOSION AT LOUISVILLE FACTORY CLAIMS 2 LIVES, CAUSES MULTIPLE INJURIES, COMPANY REPORTS
The aftermath of the chemical tank collapse at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, Washington, is evident in the damage seen in images released by the City of Longview. (Photo courtesy of City of Longview via AP)
The cause of the collapse remained under investigation.
Emergency crews responded Tuesday morning after a tank containing a chemical mixture known as “white liquor” ruptured at the facility. White liquor is a corrosive chemical mixture used in the paper-making process.
Officials initially estimated the tank contained about 80,000 gallons of the substance, but later revised the amount to roughly 900,000 gallons.
CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS WARN MASSIVE CHEMICAL TANK WILL LIKELY SPILL THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OR ‘BLOW UP’
The exterior of the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. is shown, after a tank containing hazardous liquid imploded, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Longview, Wash. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)
Authorities said approximately 90,000 gallons may still remain inside the damaged tank, which remains unstable and continues to complicate recovery efforts.
Several people suffered injuries ranging from minor to critical, including burns and inhalation injuries. One firefighter was among the injured.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray addressed the community during the news conference.
NEWSOM DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN ORANGE COUNTY AS FAILING CHEMICAL TANK NEARS CATASTROPHIC EXPLOSION
Longview Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Amos spoke at a press conference in Longview, Wash., Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the site of a paper mill where a chemical tank failure killed at least one person and left others unaccounted for. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)
“I know there’s a lot of questions about how all of this happened and I want to assure you that we will all continue to pressure to get answers to those questions,” Murray said. “This community deserves that.”
Officials said there was no direct threat to the surrounding community.
The incident comes days after roughly 50,000 California residents faced evacuation orders tied to a hazardous materials emergency at an aerospace facility in Orange County.
On Tuesday, officials lifted the final evacuation order for residents in Garden Grove living near a damaged chemical tank at GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems that had previously been at risk of exploding after a tank containing highly flammable methyl methacrylate (MMA) overheated and became compromised. Officials said the immediate risk of explosion, fire or leak had passed.
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