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Paper Mill Explosion Kills 11, Causes Chemical Burns

6/12/2026

27 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A white-liquor tank at Nippon Dynawave’s Longview paper mill exploded on May 26, killing 11 workers.
The coroner found all victims died of alkaline chemical burns, with two also having blunt-force injuries or asphyxia.
Longview fire crews and a Hazardous Materials team decontaminated victims before taking them to hospitals.
EPA officials said air quality is safe and water pH is normal after flushing high-pH liquid from the well field.

History

Historical Context

In early December 1984, Union Carbide’s pesticide plant in Bhopal released about 32 tons of methyl isocyanate, killing thousands and contaminating soil and water. The tragedy spurred India’s push for stricter industrial safety and inspired global chemical-regulation reforms, while the site remains a lingering environmental and legal dispute involving Dow Chemical and the Indian government.

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Story summary

A white-liquor tank at Nippon Dynawave’s Longview paper mill exploded on May 26, killing 11 workers.
The coroner found all victims died of alkaline chemical burns, with two also having blunt-force injuries or asphyxia.
Longview fire crews and a Hazardous Materials team decontaminated victims before taking them to hospitals.
EPA officials said air quality is safe and water pH is normal after flushing high-pH liquid from the well field.

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