Washington Paper Mill Blast Kills 11 After Crews Recover Final 2 Missing Workers
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 31
Washington Paper Mill Blast Kills 11 After Crews Recover Final 2 Missing Workers
14 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 31
Two bodies recovered Saturday at Nippon Dynawave’s Longview plant raised the death toll from Tuesday’s explosion to 11, ending a dayslong search for missing workers.
A tank holding 600,000 gallons of caustic “white liquor” exploded at the paper mill, and crews said dangerous chemicals, scattered heavy debris and decontamination requirements slowed recovery efforts.
Most victims were gathered in an area where workers receive daily assignments, officials said, while the coroner publicly identified all 11 dead and said forensic confirmation for the last two remains was still pending.
Federal and state officials have monitored air and waterways since Tuesday; drinking water was deemed safe, but the public was told to avoid contaminated storm-drain channels.
The disaster is among the deadliest U.S. industrial accidents in recent decades and has intensified questions about the future of the 550-worker plant and the local economy.
After a deadly blast at its top employer, can a Washington town reconcile its economy with worker safety?
With a history of violations, was the deadly plant explosion a tragic accident or a disaster waiting to happen?
Longview Paper Mill Catastrophe: Nine Fatalities, Chemical Spill, and Federal Probe into Tank Implosion
Overview
On May 26, 2026, a catastrophic tank rupture involving 'white liquor' struck the Longview paper mill, causing immediate casualties and triggering a complex emergency response. Several workers were injured, and Norman Barlow, the last missing worker, was later found deceased. Some patients needed specialized care in Portland. The disaster led to an official investigation, with U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigators arriving the next day. As the public and officials demanded answers, the company faced mounting pressure, while the exact number of injuries and full details remained unclear in the days following the incident.