The death toll resulting from a chemical tank implosion at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, has reached two, with nine individuals still missing and presumed deceased, as confirmed by local authorities. The tank, which contained a corrosive chemical solution known as “white liquor” used in pulp and paper processing and had a capacity of approximately 900,000 gallons, was involved in the incident.
The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has initiated an investigation into the matter, with a team of investigators scheduled to arrive at the site. Fire officials at the scene reported a significant release of the corrosive chemical from the tank, emphasizing that recovery operations would proceed cautiously due to the compromised structural integrity of the tank and the associated risks of exposure to the chemicals.
Efforts to recover any victims will be conducted meticulously, with individuals undergoing decontamination procedures before being transferred to the coroner’s office for identification and notification of their families, according to officials. Despite some contamination reaching the Columbia River, local authorities have assured that the rupture did not compromise the safety of the air and drinking water in Longview, with ongoing testing to monitor the situation.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson expressed concerns that this incident could potentially become the most fatal industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history. The tank implosion took place at a facility operated by Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co., a subsidiary of Japan’s Nippon Paper Group. A company representative mentioned that their focus was on assisting emergency responders in the search for the missing individuals and providing support to the affected families and employees.
The cause behind the incident remains under investigation.
