A chemical tank holding nearly a million gallons of highly corrosive liquid collapsed at a paper mill in Washington state on Tuesday, killing at least one worker and leaving nine others missing, officials said.
The incident happened at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, where another nine workers were injured some seriously, including burns and breathing-related injuries. One responding firefighter was also hurt.
Authorities say there is no hope of finding survivors among the missing. Recovery efforts were paused overnight and were expected to resume Wednesday morning once conditions at the site are stabilized.
Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said crews were still working through how to safely approach what remains of the damaged tank, which still contains roughly 90,000 gallons of a caustic industrial liquid known as “white liquor.”
“At this point, we are not aware of any rescues yet to be made,” he said, adding that crews would likely only work in daylight due to safety risks.
Officials said the cause of the collapse is still unknown.
Outside the facility, concern quickly turned into anguish as families gathered at nearby centers and waited for updates. Some people stood outside the plant gates looking for word on loved ones, while others met at a union hall being used as a family assistance center.
“I just want answers. People are still missing and we don’t know why,” said one local resident, describing the emotional toll on the community.
At a candlelight vigil Tuesday night, dozens of residents came together to pray and comfort one another as news of the disaster spread through the town.
The Longview mill, which employs around 1,000 people, has been part of the city’s industrial backbone for decades. The facility produces materials used in packaging, paper goods, and everyday consumer products.
Officials initially believed the tank held about 80,000 gallons, but later revised that figure to nearly 900,000 gallons of the chemical mixture used in paper production.
The liquid, made primarily of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, is used in breaking down wood fibers during the kraft paper process.
State officials said the spill spread into a drainage area, prompting environmental monitoring teams to assess possible contamination.
Authorities stressed there is currently no danger to the wider public.
Questions remain about what caused the tank to implode. State labor officials said previous safety complaints at the plant were under review, but they were unrelated to Tuesday’s incident.
The company, a subsidiary of Japan-based Nippon Paper Group, has received several minor safety citations in recent years, including issues involving protective equipment and workplace hazards.
Officials say it is still too early to determine whether equipment failure, structural issues, or another factor triggered the collapse.
