Longview Mill Death Toll Rises to 9 as Crews Probe 900,000-Gallon Chemical Tank Implosion
Updated
Updated · Oregon Public Broadcasting · May 29
Longview Mill Death Toll Rises to 9 as Crews Probe 900,000-Gallon Chemical Tank Implosion
11 articles · Updated · Oregon Public Broadcasting · May 29
A ninth worker was confirmed dead Friday after recovery crews retrieved another body from the Nippon Dynawave paper mill, with two more people still missing and presumed dead.
Crews have pushed hundreds of feet deeper into the site by removing liquid with vacuum trucks and hoses, but they are still keeping their distance from the ruptured tank, which may hold tens of thousands of gallons of caustic white liquor.
Longview officials said drinking water remains safe and pH levels near city groundwater wells have returned to normal, though some ditches still show high chemical levels and residents were told not to touch dead fish.
Environmental responders have recovered 23 fish from ditches, while officials said no dead fish have been observed in the Columbia River after earlier elevated pH readings.
Investigators are preserving evidence and preparing for a broader probe once recovery ends, but access remains limited at the heavily damaged mill where walls were blown out and equipment was mangled.
As a community mourns 11 dead, is this tragedy a warning sign for America's aging industrial plants?
With a history of safety fines, was Washington's worst industrial disaster in a century preventable?
The 2026 Longview Paper Mill Catastrophe: Eight Dead, Ongoing Recovery, and the Future of Industrial Safety
Overview
On May 26, 2026, a severe industrial accident occurred at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company paper and pulp mill in Longview, Washington, when an industrial tank ruptured and released white liquor, a chemical used in the pulping process. This triggered an immediate and complex response focused on human safety, recovery, and environmental mitigation. As of May 29, eight people were confirmed dead and three remained unaccounted for. Recovery teams worked to locate missing individuals while managing the chemical spill’s impact. The incident has led to ongoing investigations and raised concerns about industrial safety and community well-being.