Washington Mill Blast Killed 11 in 900,000-Gallon Tank Rupture, Officials Rule Deaths Accidental
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 11
Washington Mill Blast Killed 11 in 900,000-Gallon Tank Rupture, Officials Rule Deaths Accidental
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 11
Summary
Eleven workers killed in the May 26 Nippon Dynawave disaster died of chemical burns, with all deaths ruled accidental in autopsy findings released Thursday.
A 900,000-gallon tank holding white liquor—used to break down wood into pulp and about two-thirds full—catastrophically failed at the Longview, Washington, mill, badly damaging the facility.
Eight victims died from alkaline chemical burns alone; one also suffered blunt force injuries, another died from burns and asphyxia, and a 27-year-old worker later died at a Portland hospital from sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide burns.
State and federal agencies are investigating what caused the blast, while Washington's labor department said its workplace-safety probe could take about six months.
A town's worst industrial disaster: Was it a tragic accident or a preventable corporate failure?
Why can a tank with 600,000 gallons of deadly chemicals evade mandatory government inspection?
Catastrophic Chemical Tank Implosion at Nippon Dynawave: 900,000 Gallons Released, Multiple Fatalities in Longview, WA
Overview
On May 26, 2026, a catastrophic implosion struck the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. paper mill in Longview, Washington, when a massive tank holding 900,000 gallons of white liquor ruptured. This disaster released hazardous chemicals into the nearby Columbia River, raising serious environmental concerns. Although initial tests found no negative health impacts on air or drinking water, the scale of the incident triggered a rapid emergency response. Washington’s governor deployed the National Guard to support search and recovery efforts, highlighting the potential human cost and the urgent need to address the aftermath of this rare industrial tragedy.