One Dead, Nine Missing After Industrial Tank Implosion in Washington State

At least one person has been confirmed dead while nine others remain missing after a massive chemical tank imploded at a pulp and paper mill in Washington state, authorities said Tuesday. The incident occurred at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, triggering a large-scale emergency response and hazardous materials operation.

Officials said the tank, which contained a corrosive chemical mixture known as “white liquor,” suddenly collapsed during operations at the plant. The substance, commonly used in paper production, contains chemicals including sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide.

Emergency responders said at least nine people were injured in the incident, including a firefighter. Some victims reportedly suffered severe burns and inhalation injuries, while several others were transferred to specialized burn treatment centers.

Authorities initially believed the damaged tank held around 80,000 gallons of chemicals, but later revealed it may have contained nearly 900,000 gallons before the implosion. Officials said the unstable structure and remaining chemicals forced rescue crews to suspend some recovery operations overnight due to safety concerns.

Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein described the scene as a “mass casualty incident,” adding that responders were focused on stabilizing the damaged tank before continuing search efforts for the missing workers.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson and Senator Patty Murray expressed condolences to the victims and promised a full investigation into the cause of the disaster. Environmental officials are also monitoring possible contamination after chemicals spilled into a nearby drainage system. Authorities, however, said there is currently no immediate threat to the public.