Chemical tank implosion at Longview paper mill kills 2, 9 missing feared dead
Synopsis
A chemical tank holding 900,000 gallons of corrosive 'white liquor' imploded at a Nippon Dynawave paper mill in Longview, Washington, killing two and leaving nine missing and presumed dead. Governor Bob Ferguson has warned the incident could become the deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history — and a federal investigation has already been launched.
Key Takeaways
A chemical tank implosion at a paper mill in Longview, Washington has killed two people , with nine others missing and presumed dead as of 28 May 2025 .
The tank contained approximately 900,000 gallons of 'white liquor' , a corrosive chemical used in pulp processing.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson warned the incident could become the deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history.
The facility is operated by Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. , a subsidiary of Japan's Nippon Paper Group .
Some contamination has reached the Columbia River ; air and drinking water in Longview are assessed as unaffected.
The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has opened a formal investigation and is deploying a team to the site.
A chemical tank implosion at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, has killed at least two people, with nine others still missing and presumed dead, local officials confirmed on Wednesday, 28 May. The incident at the facility operated by Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. is being described by state authorities as potentially the deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history.
What Caused the Implosion
The tank involved held approximately 900,000 gallons of 'white liquor' — a highly corrosive chemical solution used in pulp and paper processing. The exact cause of the implosion remains under investigation. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said on Wednesday that officials were bracing for the possibility that the final death toll could make this the worst industrial disaster the state has seen in modern times.
Recovery Efforts and Hazard Risks
Local fire officials described recovery operations as necessarily 'slow, methodical and deliberate', citing the structural instability of the damaged tank and the ongoing risk of exposure to corrosive chemicals. Any victims recovered from the site will undergo full decontamination before being transferred to the coroner's office for identification and family notification, officials said.
Environmental Impact and Safety Assessment
Authorities confirmed that the rupture has not compromised the safety of air quality or drinking water in Longview. However, some contamination has reached the Columbia River, and testing is ongoing to assess the extent of the environmental impact.
Federal Investigation Launched
The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board announced on Wednesday that it had formally opened an investigation into the incident and that a team of investigators would be travelling to the site. Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co., a subsidiary of Japan's Nippon Paper Group, said the company's immediate focus was on assisting emergency responders in the search for the missing and providing support to victims' families and employees.
The incident underscores persistent safety concerns around large-volume chemical storage at industrial facilities in the United States, and federal investigators are expected to examine whether existing protocols were followed. The outcome of the Chemical Safety Board's inquiry could have wider implications for paper and pulp industry safety standards nationwide.
Point of View
But the Board's findings historically take years to translate into enforceable change. Nippon Dynawave's parent, Nippon Paper Group, faces reputational and legal exposure at a moment when Japanese industrial conglomerates are under heightened scrutiny over overseas safety standards. The contamination of the Columbia River — even if described as limited — adds an environmental liability dimension that could outlast the criminal and civil proceedings that typically follow mass-casualty industrial events.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Longview paper mill in Washington?
A chemical tank imploded at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, on 28 May 2025, killing two people and leaving nine others missing and presumed dead. The tank held approximately 900,000 gallons of 'white liquor', a corrosive chemical used in pulp and paper processing.
Who operates the Longview paper mill where the implosion occurred?
The facility is operated by Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co., a subsidiary of Japan's Nippon Paper Group. The company said it is focused on assisting emergency responders and supporting the families of victims and employees.
Has the Columbia River been affected by the chemical spill?
Local officials confirmed that some contamination from the ruptured tank has reached the Columbia River, and testing is ongoing to determine the extent of the impact. Air quality and drinking water in Longview have been assessed as safe.
Why is recovery from the site taking so long?
Local fire officials said recovery efforts must be 'slow, methodical and deliberate' because the damaged tank remains structurally unstable and poses an ongoing risk of corrosive chemical exposure to rescue personnel. Recovered victims will undergo decontamination before being transferred to the coroner's office.
Is there a federal investigation into the Longview mill implosion?
Yes. The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board announced on Wednesday that it has formally opened an investigation and is deploying a team of investigators to the site. The cause of the implosion has not yet been determined.
