Seattle Metro News

Longview paper mill chemical tank implosion kills 11; deadliest industrial accident in recent WA history

Longview paper mill chemical tank implosion kills 11; deadliest industrial accident in recent WA history

Key Questions

What caused the Longview paper mill accident?

A 900,000-gallon chemical tank containing white liquor imploded at the mill, resulting in 11 deaths. The cause remains under investigation while environmental monitoring continues.

How many people were killed and what is the recovery status?

All 11 victims have been recovered and identified, marking the deadliest industrial accident in Washington in recent memory. Officials confirmed final recovery at press conferences.

What agencies are involved in the response?

The EPA and Washington Ecology are conducting environmental monitoring. Press conferences have provided ongoing updates on recovery and the investigation.

What are the broader implications of this accident?

The incident has raised serious concerns about industrial safety standards at paper mills and similar facilities. It is being treated as a resolved case following body recovery.

Have the victims been publicly identified?

Yes, the names of all 11 workers killed have been released by officials. Videos and reports detail the identification process and family notifications.

A 900k-gallon tank containing white liquor chemical imploded at a Longview paper mill, killing 11 people. All bodies have been recovered. Press conferences provide updates on recovery, environmental monitoring by EPA/Ecology, and investigation into cause. This is the deadliest industrial accident in Washington in recent memory, raising serious industrial safety concerns. The story is now resolved with final recovery confirmed.

Sources (3)
Updated May 31, 2026
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