Authorities have stated that there is no hope of finding any more survivors following a devastating tank implosion at a Washington paper mill, where nine workers remain missing. The incident occurred on Tuesday at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, releasing a highly corrosive chemical mixture known as "white liquor." At least one death has been confirmed, and nine other individuals, including a responding firefighter, sustained injuries.
Recovery Efforts Hampered by Unstable Tank
Crews resumed searching on Wednesday, but their efforts are complicated by the unstable condition of the tank, which is at risk of further collapse and additional leakage of the caustic liquid. The implosion caused the massive circular tank to buckle and collapse on one side. Officials have decided to conduct operations only during daylight hours due to the significant dangers involved. The cause of the implosion remains unknown, but authorities assure the community that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Community in Mourning
Longview, a Columbia River city of approximately 40,000 residents with deep ties to the paper and lumber industries, held a vigil on Tuesday night. Dozens of people gathered to pray, light candles, and support one another. Crystal Moldenhauer, a local resident, expressed the collective anguish: "We're all still waiting for answers. There's families that have been torn apart, and we don't know why." Many of her friends at the plant remain unaccounted for.
The Hazardous Substance: White Liquor
The tank contained about 900,000 gallons (3.4 million liters) of white liquor, a mixture primarily composed of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. This chemical is used under heat to break down wood for the production of kraft paper, a durable material commonly used in packaging and shopping bags. The plant, which employs around 1,000 people, also produces materials for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates, and cartons. It is situated along the river, adjacent to other timber, paper, and chemical businesses.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
The cause of the implosion is still under investigation. Cowlitz County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein noted that the tank still holds about 90,000 gallons (over 340,000 liters) of the volatile liquid. "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 vice versa?" Goldstein said. Officials have repeatedly referred to the situation as a recovery effort.
Some of the injured suffered burns or inhalation injuries. The liquid spilled into a drainage ditch following the rupture, according to Brittny Goodsell, a spokesperson for the state Ecology Department. Senator Maria Murray assured the public: "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."
Previous Safety Violations
Safety complaints were filed against Nippon Dynawave in March and May, but the state's labor and industries department stated that these were unrelated to the current incident. One anonymous complaint concerned a valve on a tank, which was not the tank that imploded. Since the start of 2021, Nippon Dynawave, a subsidiary of Japan-based Nippon Paper Group, has been fined $3,400 for three separate health and safety violations found by Washington Department of Labor and Industries inspectors.
Broader Context of Chemical Incidents
This incident follows a recent chemical tank failure in Southern California, where thousands were evacuated due to a damaged tank at an aerospace plant, though those orders were lifted Tuesday night. According to a 2023 report by a network of environmental justice organizations, just over 40 people died from hazardous chemical incidents in the U.S. between January 2021 and mid-October 2023.
