Full Breakdown
Chemical Tank Rupture at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Plant Claims Dozens of Lives
5/29/2026, 11:01:05 AM
Incident Overview
On the morning of May 26, 2026, a 900,000-gallon tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, Washington, ruptured, releasing the caustic mixture known as “white liquor” (sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and disodium carbonate). The blast damaged the facility, injured eight to nine workers and a firefighter, and left nine employees missing. Recovery efforts began the following day after the tank was deemed stable enough for entry.
Background & Plant Context
Nippon Dynawave, a subsidiary of Japan-based Nippon Paper Group, operates a kraft pulp mill and a liquid-packaging plant that together employ roughly 1,000 workers (?550 in pulp operations, ?450 in packaging). The plant has long served the Columbia River region’s paper and lumber economy.
Timeline of Events
- May 26, 7:15 a.m. – Tank ruptures during a shift change; emergency alarms sound.
- May 26, later that day – Ten people transported to local hospitals; initial reports list one death and nine injuries.
- May 27 – Officials transition from rescue to recovery; six of the nine missing are recovered, raising the presumed death toll to 11.
- May 27 – U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) opens a formal investigation; EPA confirms white-liquor entered the Columbia River but reports no immediate health impact.
- May 28 onward – Ongoing decontamination, water-quality monitoring, and family notifications continue.
Human Toll and Data
- Confirmed deaths: 2 (as of May 27).
- Presumed deaths: 11 (including nine missing).
- Injured: 8–9 workers, plus one firefighter (burns and inhalation injuries).
- Chemical released: ?500,000 gallons spilled; 25,000–90,000 gallons remain in the compromised tank.
Environmental Impact
Testing verified white-liquor entered the Columbia River, though EPA and state officials reported no measurable effect on air quality, drinking water, or immediate aquatic life. Residents were instructed to avoid ditches and dikes near the plant.
Official Responses
Governor Bob Ferguson described the event as “the deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history” and pledged state assistance. Nippon Paper Group issued a statement offering “deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.” The CSB chair, Steve Owens, said the investigation’s goal is to determine the cause and prevent recurrence. EPA and Washington Department of Ecology officials emphasized ongoing water-quality monitoring and confirmed no identified health impacts to date.
Criticism & Safety Concerns
State labor records show Nippon Dynawave received three health-safety citations since 2021 and was fined $3,400 for violations. Safety complaints filed in March and May 2026 referenced a valve issue, though regulators indicated the complained-about tank was not the one that failed. Chemical-engineering experts highlighted the need for rigorous inspection of aging tanks.
Community Voices
Local residents organized vigils, with long-time mill workers describing the plant as a central community employer. Families of victims expressed financial distress and a demand for answers.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Death toll: Sources vary between 2 confirmed, 8 confirmed, and 11 presumed fatalities.
- Chemical volume: Initial estimates cited 80,000 gallons; later reports revised the tank capacity to 900,000 gallons.
- Cause of rupture: No definitive cause has been identified; investigations remain open.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re bracing ourselves for this being the deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history,” — Gov. Bob Ferguson
- “deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.” — Nippon Paper Group
- “He was one of the most genuinely good people that you've ever met. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was always there willing to help in whatever needed to be done,” — Todd Cornwell, friend of Gilbert Bernal
- “There’s not anybody that lives here that doesn’t know somebody at a paper mill.” — Brian Williquette, chemical supplier
- “to determine how it happened and what can be done to prevent something like this from happening again.” — Steve Owens, CSB chair
- “We were successfully able to divert all of the contaminated water away from our wellhead protection area," Chris Collins, the public works director and the assistant city manager for the city of Longview, said Thursday.” — Chris Collins, public works director
What’s Next
The CSB, EPA, and Washington State Department of Ecology will continue investigations, environmental monitoring, and safety audits. Nippon Dynawave has pledged full cooperation while the plant remains partially shut down pending stabilization of the remaining white-liquor. Families await official identification of the missing workers.
