Longview Mill Disaster Victim Dale Miller, 54, Identified as Death Toll Holds at 9
Updated
Updated · KGW.com · May 30
Longview Mill Disaster Victim Dale Miller, 54, Identified as Death Toll Holds at 9
12 articles · Updated · KGW.com · May 30
Dale Miller, 54, was identified Friday as the ninth confirmed victim of the Nippon Dynawave disaster, three days after a 900,000-gallon tank holding caustic chemicals ruptured at the Longview paper mill.
Miller, a journeyman millwright who had worked at the mill for about five months, was among the first two victims recovered; his family said the coroner notified them of his death Wednesday night.
Nine people are now confirmed dead, while two others remain missing but are presumed dead; authorities and families have publicly confirmed only some victims' identities so far.
Longview businesses and labor groups are organizing weekend fundraisers, including a community barbecue and restaurant donations, as families face funeral costs and immediate financial needs.
The rupture is already being described by officials as potentially one of Washington state's deadliest industrial accidents, with investigations underway into what caused the blast.
What caused a massive chemical tank to suddenly implode, killing nine workers during a routine shift change?
After years of safety fines, was the deadly Washington paper mill explosion an accident or an inevitability?
Catastrophic White Liquor Tank Blast at Nippon Dynawave: Aftermath, Investigation, and Lessons for Industry Safety
Overview
On May 27, 2026, a massive explosion of a chemical tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant in Longview released hazardous 'white liquor,' sparking immediate concerns for worker safety and the environment. Recovery and clean-up efforts began quickly, with the community showing strong support for emergency responders through donation drives and free meals. The incident halted all mill operations, raising economic uncertainty and highlighting ongoing chemical contamination risks. Investigations are underway to determine the cause, while the disaster underscores the need for better safety protocols and regulatory oversight in industrial operations, especially as similar incidents and long-term chemical hazards continue to challenge the industry.