Key takeaways:
- A chemical tank containing white liquor ruptured at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, Washington, causing confirmed fatalities and multiple critical injuries.
- Nine patients were transported to hospitals, including one deceased; one firefighter was injured but treated and released.
- Officials continue recovery operations with some individuals unaccounted for; the scene was stable Tuesday afternoon with no immediate public threat.
A chemical tank ruptured Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper mill in Longview, Washington, resulting in confirmed fatalities and multiple critical injuries, officials said. The tank contained white liquor, a chemical mixture used in paper pulping that includes sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and disodium carbonate.
Emergency responders described the incident as a “mass casualty scene.” Approximately 40 firefighters, paramedics, and a regional hazmat team responded to the event, which was reported at 7:19 a.m. local time. Patients were decontaminated on site and transported to hospitals in Longview and Vancouver, Washington. PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center confirmed receiving nine patients from the incident, including one who was deceased.
Mike Gorsuch, battalion chief of the Longview Fire Department, reported that one firefighter was injured during the response but has since been treated and released. Authorities said some individuals remain unaccounted for as recovery and accountability operations continue. Officials are withholding identifying information about both injured and deceased individuals pending notification of family members.
The scene was described as stable Tuesday afternoon by Scott Goldstein, Cowlitz County fire chief, who also noted the chemical composition of white liquor. There is no immediate threat to the public, but officials urged people to avoid the area to allow emergency vehicles to operate effectively.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson expressed his condolences on social media, stating, “I’m deeply saddened to hear that there have been fatalities. My thoughts are with the workers and their families, and with the first responders.” State responders from the Washington Department of Ecology have been deployed to assist at the site.
The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility is a pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant that produces materials for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates, cartons, and other goods. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, the facility employs about 1,000 people. The company and local law enforcement have not released specific numbers regarding the casualties or injuries, with an update planned for later Tuesday evening.
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