Longview Paper Mill Chemical Tank Rupture Kills 11 Workers
Key Questions
What happened in the chemical tank incident at the Longview paper mill?
A chemical tank implosion occurred on May 26, 2026, at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, WA, killing 11 workers and injuring others. Autopsies confirmed deaths resulted from alkaline burns, blunt force trauma, and asphyxia. Emergency response has concluded, but investigations continue.
What new developments have occurred in the Longview mill disaster investigation?
The Washington Attorney General's office received concurrent jurisdiction to investigate potential criminal activity. The company will be ordered to reimburse all cleanup costs, and Washington State L&I has begun proactive inspections of 10 paper mills statewide. A separate recent incident at the mill hospitalized one worker after a forklift tipped an acid container.
Were there prior safety concerns at the Nippon Dynawave mill before the fatal incident?
A near-miss occurred in March 2026 when a worker was submerged in hot pulp stock, highlighting previously ignored safety warnings. The company has halted production and is providing compensation to affected workers while investigations by the CSB and federal agencies proceed.
A chemical tank implosion at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, WA, on May 26, 2026, killed 11 workers, injured multiple. All victims recovered; autopsies confirm alkaline burns, blunt force, asphyxia. A prior near-miss in March 2026 (worker submerged in hot pulp stock) has been revealed, highlighting ignored safety warnings. Community support efforts ongoing. Investigations by CSB and federal agencies continue; company halted production, compensating workers. New developments: Washington Attorney General's office has been granted concurrent jurisdiction to probe potential criminal activity; a new incident at the mill injured one worker in a possible hazmat spill (forklift hit pothole, tipped acid container, no spill but person hospitalized); Washington State L&I launched proactive inspections of 10 paper mills statewide; and Washington state plans to order Nippon Dynawave to reimburse all cleanup costs, adding financial accountability.