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Search continues for missing workers after fatal chemical leak
Recovery teams in Washington state are pressing ahead with efforts to locate nine individuals still unaccounted for following a catastrophic rupture of a chemical storage tank at a paper mill. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant near Longview, has claimed two lives and injured seven others.
Hazardous conditions hamper rescue operations
Matt Amos, battalion chief of the Longview Fire Department, described the accident site as "extremely hazardous" during a Wednesday press briefing. The ruptured tank released a highly corrosive alkaline solution known as white liquor, used in paper manufacturing, contaminating the surrounding area and spilling into the nearby Columbia River.
Operations were paused overnight due to safety risks, including poor visibility and concerns over the structural integrity of the damaged tank. Crews resumed work at dawn on Wednesday, proceeding with caution as approximately 25,000 gallons of the chemical continue to leak slowly from the tank.
Environmental and human toll
Authorities confirmed that two workers have died, including one who succumbed to injuries after being hospitalized. Seven employees and one firefighter sustained injuries in the accident. Officials have ruled out the possibility of additional survivors, citing the severity of the conditions.
"As individuals are recovered, they will be decontaminated before being taken to the Cowlitz County Coroner's Office for identification and family notification," a joint statement from the Longview Fire Department and Nippon Dynawave said.
Uncertainty over missing workers
Scott Goldstein, chief of Cowlitz Fire and Rescue, stated that the whereabouts of all nine missing individuals remain unknown. "We have searched the accessible areas," he said, noting that some sections of the facility are too dangerous to enter even with protective gear.
Battalion Chief Amos emphasized the challenges crews face, including industrial hazards that pose risks beyond the capabilities of standard protective equipment. "Our operations will be slow, methodical, and deliberate," he said, stressing the need to handle each recovery with dignity and respect.
Plant history and broader impact
The Nippon Dynawave facility, which employs around 1,000 workers, produces a range of paper products, including tissues, printer paper, and packaging materials. Local media reports indicate the plant was also the site of a significant fire in July 2023, when wood piles burned for several days.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson called the incident "the deadliest industrial accident in modern Washington history" and announced the deployment of the National Guard to support recovery and cleanup efforts.
Victims identified
One of the deceased has been identified as Gilbert Bernal, a 54-year-old employee and grandfather. His daughter, Geovana Bernal, shared a statement with ABC News, describing her father as "the most selfless man I knew." She recounted how he was preparing to celebrate his 32nd wedding anniversary and was deeply devoted to his family, including his first grandson.
The identity of the second victim has not yet been released.
