Deaths reported after chemical tank implodes at pulp and paper mill in Washington state
Officials said 10 people were injured and fatalities were confirmed after a chemical tank imploded at the paper and packaging facility.
- On Tuesday, an 80,000-gallon tank ruptured at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, Washington around 7:15 a.m., killing multiple people and critically injuring 10 others including one firefighter. Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch, Longview Fire Department, described the scene as a mass casualty incident.
- The Longview facility had experienced a major industrial fire in July 2023 and faced state regulatory citations in 2020 and 2021 for permit violations tied to wastewater discharge and air emissions exceedances. Additional fires occurred at the site in 2025.
- White liquor, a corrosive mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used in kraft paper production, filled the tank approximately 60% full. Victims suffered chemical burns and inhalation injuries; responders decontaminated patients before transport to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview and PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver.
- PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center received nine patients, one of whom died; two were transferred to other facilities and six remained in fair condition, hospital communications manager Jim Murez said. The injured firefighter was treated and released.
- The damaged tank remains unstable, creating hazardous conditions for emergency responders; recovery operations were suspended overnight and resumed in the morning as crews worked to structurally reinforce the site. Fire officials stated it was too early to determine the cause, with investigation ongoing.
252 Articles
252 Articles
A huge reservoir containing nearly one million gallons of corrosive liquid imploded and collapsed on Tuesday in a stationery in Washington State, killing at least one worker and leaving nine others missing, the authorities said.
The factory had already been subjected to repeated state and federal scrutiny prior to Tuesday's disaster, due to environmental violations, complaints about safety, spills, equipment problems and several recent fires.
Washington state officials address chemical implosion at Longview packaging facility
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Washington state officials, including Gov. Bob Ferguson and emergency responders are set to speak at a press conference Tuesday evening, after a chemical tank rupture in Longview left one dead, multiple injured, and 9 employees unaccounted for. The implosion of an 80,000-gallon vat of white liquor was reported at the Nippon Dynawave [...]
BT
berlingske.dkOne person has died after a chemical tank at a paper mill in Washington, USA, collapsed.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
