LONGVIEW, Wash. – On a tragic day in Longview, Washington, a serious incident occurred at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. paper mill. A large tank holding a dangerous chemical mixture known as “white liquor” imploded, resulting in at least one confirmed death and leaving nine workers missing.
Emergency crews are back on the scene, focusing on stabilizing the tank to prevent further collapse and potential leaks of the caustic liquid. The implosion of the tank caused it to buckle and collapse, creating a hazardous situation that has authorities working cautiously during daylight hours.
The tank was storing around 900,000 gallons (3.4 million liters) of white liquor, a mixture primarily consisting of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. This chemical is used in the kraft paper production process, which is essential for making various everyday products like shopping bags and packaging materials.
The plant employs approximately 1,000 people and is a significant part of the local economy in Longview, a city with a rich history in the paper and lumber industries. Following the incident, a community vigil was held where residents gathered to pray, light candles, and support one another during this difficult time.
Crystal Moldenhauer, a local resident, expressed her concern and anxiety about the fate of her friends who work at the plant, stating, “We’re all still waiting for answers. There’s families that have been torn apart, and we don’t know why.”
As the investigation continues, the cause of the tank’s implosion remains unknown. Officials are working carefully to assess the situation, with Scott Goldstein, a fire chief with Cowlitz County, indicating that the tank still contains about 90,000 gallons (more than 340,000 liters) of the hazardous liquid.
The incident is part of a troubling trend, as it follows another recent chemical tank failure in Southern California that led to the evacuation of thousands of residents. These types of incidents raise serious safety concerns about chemical handling in industrial settings.
Nippon Dynawave has faced scrutiny in the past, having received fines for health and safety violations, although officials noted that previous complaints were unrelated to this incident. Since January 2021, over 40 fatalities have occurred in the U.S. due to hazardous chemical incidents, highlighting the importance of stringent safety measures in industrial operations.
As the community rallies to support each other, both local officials and residents are demanding answers and accountability to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
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Boone reported from Boise, Idaho. Associated Press reporters Gene Johnson and Hallie Golden in Seattle and Christopher L. Keller in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed.
