Longview Paper Mill Tank Rupture Now Confirmed To Have Killed 11 Workers
All 11 workers killed in a chemical storage tank rupture at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill in Longview, Washington, have been located and their bodies recovered, officials said Saturday.[1]
Officials said the white-liquor storage tank had about a 900,000-gallon capacity and was roughly two-thirds full when it buckled.[2] Responders said the rupture released more than 500,000 gallons of a caustic mixture used in kraft paper production and that some of it reached drainage ditches and the Columbia River.[3] EPA monitoring showed no noticeable effect on the river so far, and crews have been diluting and flushing contaminated ditches under environmental oversight.[3]
At about 7:15 a.m. local on Tuesday, May 26, the white-liquor tank imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill, touching off a mass-casualty response and on-site decontamination of patients.[4] Crews decontaminated and transported injured workers, and by May 28 officials formally shifted operations from rescue to recovery because the buckled tank remained unstable and crews could work safely only in daylight.[5]
Early local reports treated several workers as missing and initially said one person had been killed while nine others were unaccounted for.[6] By May 28 crews had recovered six of nine previously missing workers and officials placed the death toll at 11; on Saturday authorities said all 11 victims had been located and the active recovery phase was complete.[3][1]
Show source details & analysis (16 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- The implosion happened at about 7:15 a.m. local on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper mill in Longview, Washington; first responders treated it as an active mass-casualty event (Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper mill).
- Authorities confirmed that all 11 workers killed in the accident were located and their bodies recovered by Saturday, May 30, 2026, bringing the confirmed death toll to 11 (11 workers).
- Officials said the buckled white‑liquor tank had an approximate 900,000‑gallon capacity and was about two‑thirds full when it failed; the rupture released more than 500,000 gallons of the caustic white liquor, though earlier reports included different estimates of tank size and spill volume (white‑liquor tank).
- Responders described a mass‑casualty scene with roughly 40 firefighters, paramedics and a regional hazmat team who decontaminated patients before transport, and by May 28 officials reported eight injured (including a firefighter) with burns and inhalation injuries (eight injured).
- By Thursday, May 28, officials had formally shifted from rescue to a recovery mission—stating there was no expectation of additional survivors—and recovery work has proceeded slowly and only in daylight because the damaged tank remains unstable and hazardous (recovery mission).
- Some of the spilled white liquor entered nearby drainage ditches and reached the Columbia River; EPA and local officials said on‑scene monitoring so far shows no noticeable effect on the river, and crews have been diluting and flushing contaminated ditches under environmental oversight (Columbia River).
- The mill’s parent company, Nippon Paper Group, issued condolences to victims’ families, and state and federal authorities — with officials including Gov. Bob Ferguson — have opened investigations and cautioned it may take months to determine the cause (Nippon Paper Group).
📰 Source Timeline (16)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
May 31, 2026
2:41 AM
11 Dead as All Bodies Recovered After Washington Chemical Explosion
New information:
- By Saturday, May 30, 2026, Longview officials reported that all 11 workers who died in the Nippon Dynawave Packaging tank rupture had been located and their bodies recovered.
- Authorities confirmed that recovery teams completed their search of the collapsed white-liquor tank area and surrounding debris field, formally ending the active recovery phase.
- The final accounting clarifies that the three workers previously listed as unrecovered and presumed dead have now been found, making 11 confirmed fatalities and no one still missing.
May 29, 2026
12:05 AM
6 of 9 bodies recovered after chemical tank implosion at paper mill
New information:
- As of Thursday, May 28, 2026, responders have recovered six of the nine workers who were previously listed as missing, bringing total confirmed deaths to 11 and leaving three bodies still unrecovered.
- Officials said the six bodies were found in a workers' area where employees gather before and after shifts, consistent with the implosion occurring during a shift change on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
- Longview Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Amos described the recovery scene as 'very complex,' citing exposed electrical wiring, collapsed structures, and the need to rotate crews who must undergo decontamination each time they exit.
- Authorities said several more people were injured in the incident, with some transported to the Legacy Oregon Burn Center in Portland, Oregon, though the exact number and conditions remained unclear on May 28.
- EPA on-scene coordinator Brooks Stanfield said hydrogen sulfide has been a primary concern but has not been detected in the air so far.
- Local officials said the failed tank, which held white liquor (sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide), had an approximate capacity of 900,000 gallons and was about two-thirds full at the time of the implosion; roughly 25,000 gallons are estimated to remain in the damaged tank and are leaking slowly.
- Stanfield and Public Works Director Chris Collins said some of the white liquor entered a nearby ditch complex above a municipal drinking-water source, but current testing shows the aquifer-fed drinking water remains safe and 'very protected' from surface contamination.
- EPA and local authorities outlined a two-part ditch-remediation plan: pumping fresh water into the ditch system to dilute chemicals, then flushing the water into the Columbia River once its pH is reduced to a safe range; fire hydrants have been opened to assist dilution.
- Officials said some white liquor reached the Columbia River within minutes of the rupture, but they believe the volume was 'very limited' and stated it remains safe to fish and swim in the Columbia, although dead fish were found in the contaminated ditch area and more are expected until flushing is complete.
- Nippon Dynawave support-services director Brian Wood said the mill has been shut down except for some critical infrastructure with minimum staffing, and that the company has arranged to continue paying employees who are not currently working.
May 28, 2026
11:54 PM
Latest on Washington chemical blast
New information:
- CBS reported on Thursday, May 28, 2026, that crews were still searching for several missing people following the Longview, Washington paper mill tank incident.
- Officials told CBS the operation had formally shifted from a rescue mission to a recovery mission and that no additional survivors were expected as of May 28, 2026.
11:34 PM
Crews recover remains of 6 of 9 workers missing after chemical tank rupture in Washington
New information:
- On Thursday, May 28, 2026, officials said crews had recovered the remains of six of the nine workers previously listed as missing at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill in Longview, Washington.
- Authorities now place the total death toll at 11 workers, including three who remain missing and presumed dead, making it one of the deadliest U.S. workplace accidents in recent decades.
- Officials said the tank at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. ruptured and spilled more than 500,000 gallons of a highly destructive chemical mixture used in paper manufacturing, a more specific spill volume than some earlier estimates.
- Fire officials reiterated that recovery of the remaining missing workers will be slow and deliberate because of ongoing hazards from residual chemicals inside and around the damaged tank.
- The article confirms eight people were injured in the rupture, including a firefighter, with some suffering burns and inhalation injuries.
- Authorities and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said some contamination has reached the Columbia River, but EPA monitoring has found no noticeable effect on the river so far.
- Crews are flushing water from ditches near the plant, diluting it, and then pumping it into the Columbia River under environmental oversight as part of the cleanup operations.
- The mill's parent company, Nippon Paper Group of Japan, issued public condolences and said it was offering its "deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies" to the families of the 11 victims.
- The article provides verified identities and personal details for some of the victims, including electrician and grandfather Gilbert Bernal; 26‑year‑old husband CJ Doran; father of two John Forsberg; father Jared Ammons, who had a third child on the way; and electrician Braydon Finkas of Cathlamet.
9:22 PM
After an Explosion at a Washington Paper Mill, Mourning Mixes With Dread
New information:
- The New York Times reports that the ruptured white-liquor tank at Nippon Dynawave held about 600,000 gallons before the failure and about 25,000 gallons afterward, a somewhat different estimate from earlier official figures.
- Rescue officials told the Times that some of the spilled white liquor entered the Columbia River and nearby stormwater drainage, though regulators say there is currently no air-quality risk and no risk to the local water supply.
- Gov. Bob Ferguson described the incident as possibly the worst industrial accident in Washington's modern history and said it may be months before investigators know the cause.
- The article notes that the Nippon Dynawave mill employs about 550 workers, and community sources say at least one of the workers killed, Gilbert Bernal, had a son who also worked at the plant, underscoring multigenerational ties.
- Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is quoted saying that maintenance and cost pressures have left systems "stretched so thin" that "of course it's going to break," framing the catastrophe as part of broader systemic issues in the industry.
4:54 PM
Recovery mission declared at chemical implosion site where 9 are missing
New information:
- On Thursday, May 28, 2026, officials formally declared the operation at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill tank-implosion site a recovery mission rather than a rescue effort.
- The CBS/KIRO segment reports that authorities now describe the nine missing workers as unrecoverable in terms of survival, and recovery teams are adjusting tactics accordingly.
- Local TV reporting adds on-the-ground operational detail from incident commanders about conditions at the site as they transition to body-recovery and scene-stabilization work.
1:43 PM
Chemical tank implosion may be deadliest Washington industrial tragedy as 9 remain "unrecovered"
New information:
- CBS segment on May 28, 2026 reports that nine people remain "unrecovered" after the May 26 chemical storage tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill in Longview, Washington.
- Officials in the CBS piece frame the incident as potentially the deadliest industrial tragedy in Washington state history, based on the two confirmed deaths and nine unrecovered workers.
- The segment reiterates that several additional workers were injured in the implosion, underscoring the scale of casualties from the May 26, 2026 incident.
May 27, 2026
7:55 PM
9 are still missing after Washington paper mill tank implosion. Officials say there's no hope of survivors
New information:
- Officials said on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, there is no hope of finding additional survivors among the nine workers still missing after the May 26 tank implosion at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, Washington.
- Authorities now report at least two confirmed deaths and eight injured, including one firefighter, revising earlier casualty figures.
- Search crews must first stabilize the buckled 900,000-gallon white liquor tank, which remains at risk of further collapse and additional leaks, and will work only during daylight because of ongoing dangers.
- Officials reiterated there is no threat to the surrounding Longview community despite the release of the caustic white liquor mixture.
- The article identifies one victim through a friend's account as electrician Gilbert Bernal, though authorities have not yet formally released names.
- The piece links the incident contextually to the recent Garden Grove, California, chemical tank emergency as a second notable West Coast chemical incident within days.
5:53 PM
Nine Workers Missing After Tank Implosion at Paper Mill in Washington
New information:
- The New York Times reports additional detail on the circumstances and timeline of the May 26, 2026 tank implosion at the Longview, Washington paper mill, including worker accounts of the blast and collapse sequence.
- NYT adds updated context on the search for the nine missing workers as of Wednesday, May 27, 2026, including how long rescue crews expect to remain in recovery mode.
- The article provides further description of the white-liquor tank’s physical failure and surrounding infrastructure damage, supplementing earlier accounts that focused primarily on casualty numbers and emergency response.
- It offers more detail on investigations being opened into potential safety lapses at the mill, expanding on earlier mentions of environmental and emergency responses.
2:13 PM
1 killed, 9 others missing after chemical tank implosion in Washington
New information:
- CBS News report published Wednesday, May 27, 2026, reiterates that a tank filled with a corrosive chemical imploded in Washington on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, killing one person and leaving nine others missing.
- The CBS segment identifies the ongoing situation as a national news item with named on-air coverage by correspondent Jarred Hill, underscoring continued search efforts and official concern one day after the implosion.
- Article does not add new numerical casualty data, facility names, or technical details beyond prior Fox and PBS reporting but confirms that, as of the morning of May 27, authorities were still treating nine people as missing.
12:42 PM
Latest details on deadly chemical tank implosion in Washington state
New information:
- CBS News segment on May 27, 2026 reiterates that the chemical tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill in Longview, Washington killed at least one person and left nine workers missing.
- The piece characterizes the incident as a "massive" chemical tank implosion at a Washington state paper mill and confirms authorities are treating it as a deadly industrial accident.
- Article does not provide new casualty figures, cause details, or additional environmental or investigative information beyond what has already been reported.
10:16 AM
Washington paper mill chemical tank implodes, killing at least 1 and leaving 9 missing
New information:
- Fox News reports that as of Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at least one person was confirmed dead and nine others were unaccounted for following the tank implosion at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, Washington.
- Officials revised their estimate of the tank contents from about 80,000 gallons of corrosive 'white liquor' to roughly 900,000 gallons, with approximately 90,000 gallons believed to remain in the damaged and unstable tank.
- Authorities said nine people were injured in the collapse, including one firefighter, with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
- Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein stated at a news conference that operations had shifted from rescue to recovery, saying they were not aware of any remaining rescues to be made.
- Officials reiterated there was no direct threat to the surrounding community despite the scale of the chemical release and ongoing instability of the tank.
May 26, 2026
11:22 PM
Chemical blast in Washington state kills multiple people, authorities say
New information:
- CBS reports on May 26, 2026, that authorities in Longview, Washington responded Tuesday to a chemical tank blast described by first responders as a 'mass casualty event.'
- The CBS segment specifies that the incident involved a vat of chemicals used to process wood pulp into tissues, wrapping paper and other packaging products, confirming the industrial role of the tank's contents.
- Article timing and language indicate the blast occurred earlier on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and that authorities are treating it as an active mass-casualty response.
11:05 PM
Chemical tank implodes in Washington state, authorities report deaths
New information:
- CBS reports that authorities have confirmed an undisclosed number of deaths and at least 10 injuries following the chemical tank implosion at a Washington state pulp and paper mill.
- The CBS segment, published Tuesday, May 26, 2026, reiterates that officials are not yet specifying the number of fatalities while confirming multiple injuries.
8:11 PM
Deaths are reported after a tank imploded at a Washington pulp and paper mill
New information:
- The implosion occurred at about 7:15 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper mill in Longview, Washington.
- Authorities said at least 10 people were injured, including a responding firefighter, with injuries ranging from minor to critical and involving burns and inhalation injuries.
- Officials confirmed there have been fatalities but declined to specify how many workers were killed or how many remain missing, saying that information will not yet be released.
- Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said the 80,000-gallon white liquor tank was about 60 percent full when it imploded and that the cause of the implosion remains undetermined.
- Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch of the Longview Fire Department described the incident as a mass-casualty scene; about 40 firefighters and paramedics and a regional hazmat team responded and decontaminated patients before transporting them to hospitals in Longview and Vancouver, Washington.
- The ruptured tank released white liquor, a corrosive mixture mainly of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used in kraft paper production, which spilled into a drainage ditch; the Washington State Department of Ecology sent a team to assess environmental impacts.
- Authorities stated there was no immediate threat to the public, and recovery operations were ongoing as of more than four hours after the implosion.
- The mill, located along the Columbia River, employs about 1,000 people, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.