Washington Paper Mill Explosion Leaves One Dead, Nine Missing After Chemical Tank Rupture
A major chemical explosion at a paper mill in Washington state has left at least one person dead, while nine others remain missing, according to authorities.
The incident occurred at 07:15 PDT (15:15 GMT) at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, located approximately 130 miles (210km) south of Seattle.
One person died, nine remain missing, and nine were injured after a chemical tank explosion at a Washington paper mill.
Reuters
Officials said nine people were injured in the explosion and resulting chemical spill. The Longview Fire Department reported Tuesday evening that the injured include eight employees and one firefighter. Authorities also warned that the damaged tank remains unstable.
According to a company statement, the explosion was caused by a "rupture of a tank containing white liquor", a highly corrosive chemical used in paper manufacturing.
Emergency crews continue to face significant challenges at the scene.
"Recovery efforts remain complex due to ongoing safety concerns at the site," the fire department said in an evening update.
The department added: "Currently, the tank remains unstable, creating hazardous conditions for emergency personnel. Responders are continuing efforts to structurally reinforce and stabilize the site before additional recovery operations can safely proceed."
Investigators initially believed the tank contained approximately 80,000 gallons (300,000 litres) of white liquor. Officials later revised that estimate, saying the tank actually held around 900,000 gallons (3,406,000 litres).
The Longview Fire Department said approximately 90,000 gallons (340,000 litres) "may remain inside the damaged tank".
Earlier in the day, Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein told reporters that 10 people had been injured and transported to hospital.
Goldstein said nine of the injured were factory employees and one was a firefighter. Their injuries range from "critical severe to minor" and include burns and inhalation-related injuries. The company also reported there were "multiple critical injuries".
Although firefighting and recovery operations are ongoing, Goldstein said the situation does not pose a threat to the wider community. However, members of the public have been urged to avoid the area.
"The scene remains in the recovery phase as emergency responders continue operations," the Longview Fire Department said.
Officials also noted that "No identifying information regarding injured or deceased individuals will be released at this time pending notification of family members."
White liquor is an alkaline chemical composed of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said state ecology personnel had been deployed to assist local authorities responding to the incident.
"I'm deeply saddened to hear that there have been fatalities," Ferguson said.
"My thoughts are with the workers and their families, and with the first responders."
Local media reports noted that the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility previously experienced a major fire in July 2023, when piles of wood on-site burned for several days.
According to CBS, the BBC's US partner, the facility manufactures tissues, printer paper, cups, plates, cartons and other products. The Washington State Department of Ecology says the plant employs 1,000 people.
The Washington explosion occurred as officials in California announced that a separate chemical tank feared to be at risk of exploding had been made safe. The tank, located in Orange County, contains a plastic-making chemical and prompted an evacuation order affecting 50,000 people.
Authorities in Washington have said no evacuation order is required following the Longview incident.
