11 confirmed dead in Washington state chemical accident, all bodies recovered
The death toll from a chemical tank rupture in the U.S. state of Washington climbed to 11 as crews recovered the bodies of all nine missing people, authorities said on Saturday.
A drone view of a chemical tank after its rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper mill in Longview, Washington, U.S., May 26, 2026. REUTERS/David Ryder/File Photo
Two fatalities had been confirmed after the tank containing "white liquor" - a chemical solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used in making paper pulp - imploded at a Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility on Tuesday.
The search for the missing carried on through the week as recovery crews worked through debris in indoor areas and flew drones over the perimeter of the site, said Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue's deputy chief, Kurt Stitch.
Community members gather for a press conference after a chemical tank rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper mill, in Longview, Washington, U.S., May 26, 2026. REUTERS/David Ryder
The ruptured tank contained about 900,000 gallons (3.4 million liters) of white liquor, and tests confirmed that contamination entered the nearby Columbia River, officials have said, although no "negative health impacts" had been detected on air quality or the city of Longview's drinking water.
Nippon Paper Industries (3863.T), Japan’s second-biggest paper manufacturer by sales, acquired the Longview plant from Seattle-based timber company Weyerhaeuser (WY.N) for $225 million and established the wholly owned subsidiary Nippon Dynawave Packaging in 2016.
Reuters
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