The Incident

A massive chemical tank imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging paper mill in Longview, Washington, on Tuesday morning, killing at least one person and injuring nine others. The 900,000-gallon tank, which contained a highly corrosive solution known as 'white liquor,' ruptured just after 7 a.m. local time, according to the Longview Fire Department. The implosion released approximately 500,000 gallons of the chemical, which is primarily composed of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide and is used to break down wood chips into pulp.

“White liquor can cause second- or third-degree burns on contact with skin and can be dangerous if inhaled.”

The Missing and Injured

Nine workers remain unaccounted for as of Wednesday, and authorities have expressed little hope of finding survivors. Eight employees and one firefighter were transported to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to severe, including burns and inhalation injuries. The firefighter has since been released. Officials are still trying to determine whether the missing individuals were at work during the accident or are simply unreachable.

“We don't know until we know, hopefully tomorrow, how we can stabilize the tank. Do we remove the product first? Do we stabilize the tank first or the vice versa?”

Recovery Challenges

Recovery operations have been suspended overnight due to the instability of the remaining tank structure, which still holds about 90,000 gallons of the volatile liquid. Crews are working only during daylight hours because of the dangers, and must first stabilize the tank before any bodies can be recovered. Part of the spilled liquid entered a drainage ditch, prompting the Washington State Department of Ecology to dispatch teams to assess the environmental impact.

Community and Official Response

Dozens of Longview residents gathered for a vigil on Tuesday evening to pray and light candles for the missing and injured workers. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson expressed his condolences, stating he was 'deeply saddened' by the fatalities, and confirmed that state ecology officials and the National Guard were on alert. Nippon Paper Industries, the Japanese parent company of Nippon Dynawave Packaging, issued a statement offering its deepest condolences and apologizing for the concern caused to the local community and business partners. The company, which acquired the Longview plant in 2016, employs about 1,000 people and produces material for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates, and cartons.

“We express our deepest condolences and offer our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.”

Broader Context

The incident marks the second notable chemical tank failure on the U.S. West Coast within days, following the evacuation of thousands of residents in Southern California due to a damaged tank at an aerospace plant. The Longview facility itself previously experienced a major fire in July 2023, when wood piles on site burned for days. The cause of Tuesday's implosion remains under investigation, and authorities have stated there is no direct threat to the surrounding community of about 40,000 people.