- A large vat of chemical treatment product imploded at a facility in Longview, Washington, on Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring others.
- The implosion killed at least one person and left nine others missing, according to fire officials.
- At least one person has died, nine people are injured, and nine others remain unaccounted for after a large vat imploded at a paper and packaging facility in Washington state.
- The implosion took place around 7:30 a.m. local time at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility following the rupture of a tank containing white liquor, a chemical mixture used in the paper-making process.
- Officials reported the tank held approximately 900,000 gallons of white liquor, despite earlier claims it was only 80,000 gallons.
- Ongoing safety concerns have complicated recovery efforts according to the fire department.
- The tank remains unstable, creating hazardous conditions for emergency responders.
- Fire officials confirmed that nine employees remain missing following the tank implosion.
- Recovery efforts will resume on Wednesday.
- The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility produces material for various products including tissues and cartons.
- Washington state officials, including Gov. Bob Ferguson, addressed the situation and stated they were on their way to Longview to meet with local responders.
One person is dead and nine are missing after a chemical tank imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, Washington, early Tuesday morning.110
The explosion occurred around 7:30 a.m. as a 900,000-gallon tank filled with 'white liquor'—a mixture of sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and disodium carbonate—ruptured, according to the Longview Fire Department.4
Officials initially estimated the tank’s capacity at 80,000 gallons but later clarified it was significantly larger. Currently, around 90,000 gallons of the chemical remains inside the damaged tank, complicating recovery efforts due to ongoing safety concerns.69
Emergency responders confirmed that nine workers, including a firefighter, were transported to local hospitals with various injuries, such as chemical burns. A spokesperson from PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center stated that one of the patients from the incident has died.
"The tank remains unstable and is creating hazardous conditions for first responders," the fire department noted, as they continue to assess the situation. Governor Bob Ferguson and emergency management officials are slated to hold a press conference later today to provide additional updates regarding the incident.7
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the tank’s implosion, with Labor and Industries set to start as soon as conditions allow.
The Nippon Dynawave facility produces materials for tissue, printing paper, cups, and cartons, making safety a critical concern for the region.
“A chemical tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility ruptured, resulting in one confirmed fatality and nine employees reported missing. Emergency responders are on-site as recovery efforts face complications due to the unstable condition of the tank.”
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