---
title: "Chemical Tank Implosion at Washington State Paper Mill Kills at Least One Worker, Leaves Nine Unaccounted For"
url: https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/28/chemical-tank-implosion-washington-state/
date: 2026-05-28T23:18:25+00:00
modified: 2026-05-28T23:18:25+00:00
author: "Sawyer Cooner"
categories: ["National", "News"]
site: "HERE Rock Hill"
attribution: "HERE Rock Hill"
---

# Chemical Tank Implosion at Washington State Paper Mill Kills at Least One Worker, Leaves Nine Unaccounted For

*Source: [HERE Rock Hill](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/05/28/chemical-tank-implosion-washington-state/) — May 28, 2026 by Sawyer Cooner*

A significant industrial accident occurred at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company in Longview, Washington, where a 900,000-gallon tank containing white liquor imploded and partially collapsed on May 26 at approximately 7:15 a.m. local time. This highly corrosive mixture, composed of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, is used in the processing of paper pulp.

As of Tuesday evening, at least one worker was confirmed dead, while nine employees remained unaccounted for. In addition, eight other workers and one firefighter sustained injuries, which ranged from minor to critical. The injured individuals were treated for various ailments, including chemical burns and inhalation injuries, with four patients transferred to burn centers in Portland, Oregon.

Search and recovery operations were halted Tuesday night due to the presence of approximately 90,000 gallons of hazardous chemicals still in the damaged tank, which posed ongoing risks for emergency personnel. Crews planned to resume recovery efforts on Wednesday morning, pending safety assessments of the unstable structure.

Authorities indicated that there was no immediate threat to the surrounding community of roughly 38,000 residents. Atmospheric monitoring conducted in the area showed no harmful airborne contaminants as a result of the incident. However, the investigation into the cause of the tank’s implosion had not yet yielded results as of Tuesday night.

The Nippon Dynawave facility, which manufactures pulp for various paper products, including cups and cartons, employs approximately 1,000 workers. The Japanese consulate confirmed that no injuries were reported among Japanese staff members at the facility.

Scott Goldstein, Chief of Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue, served as a public spokesperson at news conferences, while Mike Gorsuch and Matt Amos, both Battalion Chiefs with the Longview Fire Department, characterized the scene as a mass casualty incident and noted the ongoing instability of the tank. Brittny Goodsell, a spokesperson for the Washington State Ecology Department, confirmed that a chemical spill had occurred into a drainage ditch as a result of the incident.

This tragic event has raised questions about safety protocols in industrial settings, particularly those involving hazardous materials. As the community and officials await further information, the focus remains on the recovery of the missing workers and the health of those injured in the incident.